Newton City Council met June 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Call to Order: Mark Bolander, Mayor
Mayor Mark Bolander called the meeting to order.
Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Robert Reisner
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Robert Reisner.
Roll Call: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: Steve Rubsam, Larry Brooks, Robert Reisner and Scott Bloomberg.
Absent: David Brown and Eric Blake
Also present: Attorney Max Tedford, Treasurer Melissa Brooks, Clerk Rosetta York
Adopt or Amend Agenda: Item 8A should be June 16, 2017 and Suzie Thornton in Public Coments
Motion was made by Bloomberg seconded by Reisner, to approve the amended agenda.
Ayes: Rubsam, Brooks, Reisner and Bloomberg
Nays: None
Approval Of Regular Minutes of May 16, 2017
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Bloomberg, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Newton City Council held May 16, 2017.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg and Rubsam
Nays: None
Public Comments/Communications:
Suzie Thornton, an employee of Cobblestone, told the council that 2 couples were recent guests of the hotel. The visitors ate at Joe’s, walked around the square and sat on the court house lawn. They loved how friendly everyone is and how beautiful the court house lawn and flowers are.
Old Business:
Consider and act on Ordinance 17-05 Prevailing Wage.
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Rubsam, to pass Ordinance 17-05 Prevailing Wage.
Ayes: Reisner, Bloomberg, Rubsam and Brooks
Nays: None
Consider and act on accepting the Drake Scruggs Equipment bid for the Electric Department bucket truck.
Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Bloomberg, authorizing accepting the Drake Scruggs Equipment bid for the Electric Department bucket truck at a cost of $141,266.00.
Ayes: Bloomberg, Rubsam, Reisner and Brooks
Nays: None
New Business:
Consider and act on appointing Brent Benefiel Wastewater Department Head, effective June 16, 2017.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Brooks, to authorize appointing Brent Benefiel Wastewater Department Head effective June 16, 2017.
Ayes: Rubsam, Brooks, Reisner and Bloomberg
Nays: None
Consider and act on Memorandum of Understanding and Linkage Agreement with ERBA.
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Rubsam, approving the Memorandum of Understanding and Linkage Agreement with ERBA.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg and Rubsam
Nays: None
Consider and act on Ordinance 17-06 Amending Section 12-1-37 of Newton City Code.
Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Brooks, to pass Ordinance 17-06 Amending Section 12-1-37 of Newton City Code.
Ayes: Reisner, Bloomberg, Rubsam and Brooks
Nays: None
Consider and act on Farley Insurance TIF application for $1,862.50.
Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Reisner, to approve the Farley Insurance TIF application for $1,862.50.
Ayes: Bloomberg, Rubsam, Reisner and Brooks
Nays: None
Committee Reports Or Council Representative Reports:
Rubsam – The Finance Committee met May 25 and discussed the TIF application from Farley Insurance, Eagle Trail Phase 4 River Walk and pavers or a metal leaf and other ideas for fundraising by the Friends of the Trail.
Rubsam – The Electric Committee May 30 and discussed bids for a bucket truck for the Electric Dept,, renting a small digger/derrick on tracks to replace backyard poles in June and the mosquito abatement program underway using larvaecide briquettes.
Bloomberg – JEDI met June 6 and heard an informative presentation by James Patrick, Executive Director of South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission. The committee was given an update on the community marketing program, and updates from CED Extension Educator Ken Larimore, Mayor Mark Bolander, Jasper Co. Board Chairman Ron Heltsley and Superintendent of Schools Andy Johnson. Madeline Zuber has been hired as a JEDI Assistant for this summer.
Statements:
Council Members
Rubsam: Strawberry Festival was successful. Entertainment, food and crowds were all good. Electric Department: Big D is reconductoring Circuit M on Maple St. and Water St.
Brooks: Water Department has an estimate for replacing the water main on S. Van Buren St., if the funds are available this year. The city needs to remind the residents of the burning ordinance.
Reisner: The Street Department is preparing to do the annual street maintenance.
Bloomberg: Gave the Jasper County Animal Report.
City Attorney: No comments
City Treasurer: Kemper Auditors finished the audit last Thursday. They will present their report in late August or early September.
City Clerk (PO #6497 for Water Department, $19,050.00):
City Clerk York presented a Purchase Order from the Water Department for Hacker Plumbing and Drilling Inc. to clean well #5, clean well #6 and air scrub raw water line for a total cost of $19,050.00.
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Rubsam, to authorize Purchase Order for Hacker Plumbing and Drilling Inc. to clean well #5, clean well #6 and air scrub raw water line for a total cost of $19,050.00.
Ayes: Rubsam, Brooks, Reisner and Bloomberg
Nays: None
Mayor:
Congressman Shimkus’ Traveling Help Desk will be at City Hall tomorrow, June 7 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
Zoning Hearing on June 26, 2017.
Next Regular Meeting: June 20, 2017 at 6:00 PM
Scheduled Committee Meetings: Personnel Committee Meeting on Wednesday June 7, at 5:30 PM
The next regular meeting of the Newton City Council will be June 20, 2017 at 6:00 PM. The Personnel Committee will meet June 7, 2017 at 5:30 PM.
Executive Session: Litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate, negotiations and personnel
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Reisner, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate, negotiations and personnel pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg and Rubsam
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:45 PM.
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Rubsam, to go out of closed session and back into open session
Ayes: Reisner, Bloomberg, Rubsam and Brooks
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:26 PM.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate, negotiations and personnel.
Adjournment
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Brooks, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Bloomberg, Reisner, Brooks and Rubsam
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:32 PM.
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