City of Newton City Council met Nov. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER: Attorney William Heap
In Mayor Joshua Kuhl’s absence, Attorney William Heap called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Larry Brooks.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Larry Brooks. 3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and Mike Swick
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City Clerk Maggie McDonald
Absent: Mayor Joshua Kuhl
4. Attorney William Heap appoints Alderman Mike Swick as Mayor Pro Tem Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to appoint Alderman Mike Swick as Mayor Pro Tem.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
Abstain: Swick
5. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: Add Tyler Weber to Public Comments Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to adopt the amended agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
6. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of November 4, 2025.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Larry Brooks, to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Glumac
Nays: None
Abstain: Blake
7. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $199,846.38 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 $136,186.16. Kaleb Wright seconded the motion.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Tyler Weber: Drinking water quality is something that is taken very seriously at the Water Department. There seems to be a lot of talk on social media about how the water quality in this town is not satisfactory enough for some of the citizens. The Water Department works closely with City Hall and neither department has received any phone calls, emails or messages to confirm there are any issues with the water quality. With that said, I would like to invite anyone with a complaint about drinking water quality to please reach out to myself, City Hall, or the mayor and council. You can also find our Consumer Confidence Report on our city website at cityofnewtonil.com or a hard copy can be obtained at city hall.
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: • Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 5:30.
Finance and Audit Committee Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 5:30 PM – 5:45 PM Present: RJ Lindemann, Mike Swick, Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, Melissa Brooks, Maggie McDonald, Tyler Weber, Brent Benefiel and Jim Riddle
• The Energy Transition Community Grant was discussed. The committee reaffirmed that we would like to finish the pickleball courts and repaint the pool. Adjourned at 5:45 PM
Submitted by: RJ Lindemann – Chairman
10.OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on awarding bid for the 2011 Ford Crown Victorian. Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to award the online bid for the 2011 Ford Crown Victorian to Amanda Stanford in the amount of $3,391.00.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing a change of hire date for Justin Holmes, as a full-time officer of the Newton Police Department, contingent on the passing of the POWER testing, lie detector test and psych evaluation, to December 1, 2025, as recommended by the Police and Building Permit Committee. Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize a change of hire date for Justin Holmes, as a full-time officer of the Newton Police Department, contingent on the passing of the POWER testing, lie detector test and psych evaluation, to December 1, 2025, as recommended by the Police and Building Permit Committee.
Ayes: Blake, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing a change of hire date for Tyler Plummer, as a full-time officer of the Newton Police Department, contingent on the passing of the POWER testing, lie detector test and psych evaluation, to December 1, 2025, as recommended by the Police and Building Permit Committee.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Larry Brooks, to authorize a change of hire date for Tyler Plummer, as a full-time officer of the Newton Police Department, contingent on the passing of the POWER testing, lie detector test and psych evaluation, to December 1, 2025, as recommended by the Police and Building Permit Committee.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
11.NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing the city attorney to proceed with legal action regarding property located at 205 E. Harris.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the city attorney to proceed with legal action regarding property located at 205 E. Harris.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Glumac
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on authorizing the city attorney and city engineer to proceed with utility easements for electric distribution on East Curtis St.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the city attorney and city engineer to proceed with utility easements for electric distribution on East Curtis St.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing Christmas bonuses for all present full-time and part-time employees who have worked at least 3 months and are currently working. Consists of an extra eight hours pay or an eight-hour day off with pay, to be taken by the last pay period in April 2026.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize Christmas bonuses for all present full-time and part-time employees who have worked at least 3 months and are currently working. Consists of an extra eight hours pay or an eight-hour day off with pay, to be taken by the last pay period in April 2026.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on authorizing the 2026 Meeting Schedule of the Newton City Council.
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the 2026 Meeting Schedule of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Blake, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on authorizing a city employee and city council Christmas gathering.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Larry Brooks, to authorize a city employee and city council Christmas gathering.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
F. Consider and act on authorizing a Special Event Liquor License Application submitted by St. Thomas for a Trivia Night Fund Raiser Event held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 from 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the Special Event Liquor License Application submitted by St. Thomas for a Trivia Night Fund Raiser Event held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 from 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Glumac
Nays: None
G. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application submitted by Rauch’s Jewelry for Rauch’s Christmas Traditions on Friday, December 5, 12, and 19, 2025 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the Special Event Application submitted by Rauch’s Jewelry for Rauch’s Christmas Traditions on Friday, December 5, 12, and 19, 2025 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
12.STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: Lights in the Park begins this weekend. Thank you to our city guys for working very hard to get everything ready. We had the 6th graders out last weekend helping, so thank you students. Everyone be sure to get out and see the lights this year.
Wright: No comments.
Brooks: No comments.
Lindemann: Presented the utility adjustments. Wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I will not be at the next council meeting so I want to wish everyone a Happy Advent. Thank you to the city departments for their work on Lights in the Park. The lights are a wonderful tradition in Newton, and I appreciate all the city guys for stepping up and taking on the extra task. Would still like to see the Capital Development Fund abolished and lower property taxes.
Blake: Happy Thanksgiving!
Swick: Wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving!
City Attorney: Enjoy the turkey! Happy Thanksgiving!
City Treasurer: Happy Thanksgiving!
City Clerk: Happy Thanksgiving!
13.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: December 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting on Monday, November 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
14.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, potential litigation and sale of real estate, pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Glumac
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:22 PM.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 6:29 PM.
Mayor Pro Tem Swick announced that during closed session the council discussed personnel, potential litigation and sale of real estate.
15.ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 6:29 PM.
https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/251118-UN-CC-Meeting-Minutes.pdf
