1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
Mayor Joshua Kuhl called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Eric Blake.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Eric Blake.
Mayor Kuhl requested a moment of silence for all affected in Effingham County and neighboring communities.
3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and Michael Swick
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks, and City Clerk Maggie McDonald 4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
#6 – Add Donna Coad, George Hesser and Lanette Huddleston
#9 – Add 9B. to New Business to discuss Proposed Mayor and Alderman Pay Structure Alteration Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to adopt the amended agenda. Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of September 19, 2023.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2023 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS:
• Sarah Kinkade with Jasper County Chamber, Tina Messina with the American Legion and Ben and Melyssa Borgic with Borgic Designs spoke in suggestion of switching out the Welcome to Newton banners uptown. They’re proposing putting up Veterans banners from Memorial Day through Veterans Day to honor Veterans in our community. Individuals would pay for their own banner (like the flags for Veterans Day). The American Legion will spearhead the project and will also accept donations for banners. The Chamber would help organize, and Borgic Designs would create the flags. It was asked that the City help with hardware, maintenance and displaying. Once figures, quantity of flags that can be displayed and a few other crucial points are put in place, we hope to see this happen in our community.
• Donna Coad and George Hesser spoke on behalf of Lights in the Park. When Lights in the Park began, it started with 20 displays. Over the years it has been very successful and continued to grow to over 80 displays. With that being said, time, dedication and hard work that is put into the program every year is also growing and becoming to much for the few involved to set up and take down. More help is needed. Ms. Coad also mentioned they would be willing to let someone else take over the program. The City requested time to discuss the situation at hand.
• Lanette Huddleston, voiced on behalf of the Ambraw Eagles Club, stated back in late Spring the Eagles Club was overcharged for their garbage pickup. After many conversations with Republic Services, and them admitting the overcharge, the Eagles have finally received their reimbursement. She did not feel Republic Services response was timely.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
Park, Cemetery and Pool Committee Meeting Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 5:30 PM. Park, Cemetery and Pool Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 5:30 PM – 6:20 PM Present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, RJ Lindemann, Mike Swick, Joshua Kuhl, Melissa Brooks, Maggie McDonald, Brad Benefiel, Mike Schackmann, Tyler Weber, Mindy Hartke, Andre Leachman and Debra Leachman
Meeting started at 5:30 PM
• The Leachman’s presented to the council their ideas and concerns with equipment and display storage from lights in the park. Different options such as purchase of a storage shed and a property lot were discussed. Many different factors take affect in the process of possibility for storage or a lot.
• The Leachman’s voiced the need for volunteers to help with setup of the displays. Liability waivers will need to be enforced.
• It was presented to the council that all donated money accrued from the lights in the park gets put back into the following year to cover costs of new lights, cords, fuel and all necessities that make the lights in the park a benefit to our community. • The Rotary Club would like to donate a bench to be put out at the walking bridge.
Meeting adjourned at 6:20 PM
Gayle Glumac – Chairman
Finance/Audit Committee Meeting immediately following the Park, Cemetery and Pool Committee Meeting.
Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 6:21 PM – 6:54 PM
Meeting called to order 6:21 p.m.
• TIF for Homewood Grill was discussed. It was recommended to award 15% of the project cost ($82,500) in the form of tax increment generated from the project.
• TIF for Winner Winner Chicken Dinner was discussed. It was recommended to table the issue for another finance meeting, as there wasn’t enough information to make an informed recommendation.
• Tyler Weber brought up a potential “principal forgiveness” grant program. He intends to investigate the matter further. Meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
Those in attendance: Gayle Glumac, Melissa Brooks, Kaleb Wright, Josh Kuhl, Mike Swick, Tyler Weber, Maggie McDonald RJ Lindemann – Chairman
Personnel Committee Meeting immediately following the Finance/Audit Committee Meeting. Waiting on minutes.
8. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Opening of sealed bids for the 1998 Chevrolet 2500 pick-up truck.
B. Consider and act on awarding the bid to purchase the 1998 Chevrolet 2500 pick-up truck. Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize awarding Tony Spade the bid to purchase the 1998 Chevrolet 2500 pick-up truck in the amount of $4,026.00. Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on Demolition Reimbursement Applications for Jed Earnest.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the Demolition Reimbursement Application for Jed Earnest for properties at 702 Foster and 504 W. Curtis up to $15,000.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on TIF application for Robert and Kathryn Samanas.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to table the motion authorizing the TIF application for Robert and Kathryn Samanas to the October 17, 2023 City Council Meeting. Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on TIF application for Double K 23, LLC.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the TIF application for Double K 23, LLC for 15% of the project cost making the awarded amount up to $82,500 to be reimbursed yearly based on the incremental tax increase after the project is complete. Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
F. Consider and act on passing Resolution 23-11B, a Resolution of Support for the Safe Routes to School Grant.
Motion was made Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to pass Resolution 23-11B, a Resolution of Support for the Safe Routes to School Grant.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
G. Consider and act on passing Ordinance No. 23-15 altering Chapter 6 Building Regulations, section pertaining to permit fees, in the Newton City Code Book.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to pass Ordinance No. 23-15 altering Chapter 6 Building Regulations, section pertaining to permit fees, in the Newton City Code Book. Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Swick, Glumac
Nays: Lindemann, Blake
H. Review and discuss quotes for new roof on the Newton Water Plant.
The three quotes received for the roof were discussed. It was recommended the shingles be taken off so if there are any leaks they can be identified.
I. Consider and act on authorizing Ron Diel to replace the roof at the Newton City Water Plant in the amount of $17,000.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, and no seconded. Motion failed for lack of seconded motion.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing participation in the Community Water Supply Testing Program by the EPA in the amount of $3,047.87.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize participation in the Community Water Supply Testing Program by the EPA in the amount of $3,047.87. Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
B. Discuss Purposed Mayor and Alderman Pay Structure Alteration.
Alderman Lindemann suggested an altered system of pay for City Council members and Mayor. It would be based on a points system structure. The principle behind the altered pay structure is to encourage attendance to all committee and council meetings. Further discussion to be had at a future Finance/Audit Committee Meeting.
10. STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: Prayers to Teutopolis and families, especially the lost ones.
Wright: Echo Gayle. Such a tragedy.
Brooks: I agree prayers are needed for Teutopolis.
Lindemann: Spoke opinion on Capital Development Fund.
Blake: Echo Gayle
Swick: The people of Teutopolis need to be in our thoughts and prayers every day. Bids are now open for the sidewalk projects.
City Attorney: Trucks come by every day and we do not think about an instance that happened ever happening until it does. It sure makes you appreciate all responders who put their lives on the line for others not even thinking twice about it. It’s a marvelous thing to have people that step up and we shall all stay mindful of their woes.
City Treasurer: My prayers are with Teutopolis. Very sad tragedy.
City Clerk: Continue to echo everyone’s prayers for Teutopolis. Shout out to our community and the overwhelming involvement everyone put forth in signing support letters for participation in the Safe Route to Schools Grant.
Mayor: What a heart wrenching event in our neighboring county to the West. In times of tragedy, we focus on the situation. But we also need to recognize all the first responders, EMS, fire, police and volunteers involved who were trying to handle the situation the best way possible. Seeing the communities in Effingham County pull together is astounding. The event was tragic. One good that comes out of something like this is the bond in the community that remains. We have a lot of good people in small town America.
Seeing all the participation from residents in Jasper County on the support of letters was amazing. Thank you, Council, for your time and dedication that you invest into our city.
11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: October 17, 2023 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEEINGS: Finance/Audit Committee Meeting October 11, 2023 at 6:00 PM 12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Potential Litigation
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss potential litigation pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 7:25 PM.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
Mayor Joshua Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed potential litigation.
13. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM.
Submitted by:
Maggie E. McDonald, City Clerk
