City of Newton City Council met March 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
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
3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and Mike Swick
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City Clerk Maggie McDonald
Absent: Alderman Larry Brooks
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to adopt the proposed agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of February 17, 2026.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to approve the minutes of the February 17, 2026 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
• Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM.
Police and Building Permits, February 18, 2026, 6:30pm
1. New Squad Car
a. Chief Riddle informed the committee that the new squad has gotten the wireless ticket printer installed and the decals have been applied to the vehicle.
2. Shop with a Cop
a. Chief Riddle reminded the committee that Shop with a Cop is March 13th beginning at 4pm. If anyone would like to volunteer and help set up, getting there from Noon-1 would help tremendously.
3. Cadet Holmes
a. Chief Riddle supplied the committee with Cadet Holmes grades and tests from the academy, Chief is confident that Holmes will pass with solid grades and good experience.
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM
• Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting Minutes February 25, 2026 6:00 PM – 6:13 PM
Present: Mike Swick, Gayle Glumac, Eric Blake, Maggie McDonald and Melissa Brooks
• Pros and cons allowing tiny homes within the city limits were discussed. After discussion, there were still many concerns related to zoning compliance, infrastructure capacity and long-term impacts. The consensus of the committee was to keep the city’s current building code standards. Adjourned at 6:13 PM
Submitted by: Mike Swick – Chairman
8. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on awarding the Mowing Project Bid.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindeman, to refuse any and all bids. (Each mowing project location will now be bid separately.)
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on awarding the bid for the fencing project at the pickleball courts in Peterson Park.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to award the bid for the fencing project at the pickleball courts in Peterson Park to Fence Worx in the amount of $36,000.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on awarding the bid for the painting project at the pickleball courts in Peterson Park.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to award the bid for the painting project at the pickleball courts in Peterson Park to Courts and Cracks in the amount of $18,500.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing the City of Newton to pursue a USDA loan to offer more economic development incentives to the community.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to table authorizing the City of Newton to pursue a USDA loan to offer more economic development incentives to the community to the March 18, 2026 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing a Grant Writing Agreement with SCIRPDC to assist the city in applying for the 40101(d) Grid Resilience Grant.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize a Grant Writing Agreement with SCIRPDC to assist the city in applying for the 40101(d) Grid Resilience Grant.
Ayes: Wright, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: Lindemann
E. Consider and act on passing Resolution 26-04 a Cost Commitment Letter for the 40101(d) Grid Resilience Grant.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to pass Resolution 26-04 a Cost Commitment Letter for the 40101(d) Grid Resilience Grant.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: Lindemann
F. Consider and act on authorizing one employee from the clerk’s office to attend the 2026 IEZA and ITIA Spring Conference in Peoria, Illinois on April 22 & 23, 2026. Total cost for conference and hotel is $665.00 plus allowable expenses. Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize one employee from the clerk’s office to attend the 2026 IEZA and ITIA Spring Conference in Peoria, Illinois on April 22 & 23, 2026. Total cost for conference and hotel is $665.00 plus allowable expenses. Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: Lindemann
10.STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: No comments.
Wright: No comments.
Lindemann: Spoke opposition to the Capital Development Fund.
Blake: No comments.
Swick: No comments.
City Attorney: No comments.
City Treasurer: Presented one Appropriation Change
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to make the following appropriation change:
1. Insurance to move $60,000 from Contingency Fund (9000-60) to Medical Claims Paid-B-Account (5110-60).
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
City Clerk: 1 PO: Water Department
1. Water Department PO# 6550 to McCoy Heating and AC for a ductless mini split heating and air system, installation, and labor, for the Water Plant, in the amount of $2,527.38.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the Water Department PO# 6550 to McCoy Heating and AC for a ductless mini split heating and air system, installation, and labor, for the Water Plant, in the amount of $2,527.38.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
Mayor: Reminders, next Friday, March 13, Shop with a Cop Fish Fry will be held at West End Reception and Events. Please make plans to attend! This valuable event helps out so many children in our community and continues to grow and grow. There is a Snedeker Regional Client Appreciation Dinner on April 8th. Please let me know who would all like to attend and I will get them our head count. March 28th is the Jasper County Annual Electronic Recycling Event. Everyone be sure to mark this date on your calendar and plan to bring your items early. The dumpster fills up very fast. Due to the upcoming election on March 17th, the next meeting of the Newton City Council will be moved to Wednesday, March 18th.
11.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: March 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
• Electric Committee Meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM. • Personnel Committee Meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 immediately following the Electric Committee Meeting.
12.EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss personnel pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 7:05 PM.
Motion was made by Eric Blake, seconded by Mike Swick, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:49 PM.
Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed personnel.
13.ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:49 PM.
https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/260303-UN-CC-Meeting-Minutes.pdf
