City of Newton City Council met April 17.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
1. Call to Order: Mark Bolander, Mayor
Mayor Mark Bolander called the meeting to order.
2. Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman David Brown
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman David Brown
3. Roll Call: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: Steve Rubsam, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Robert Reisner, Scott Bloomberg
Absent: Eric Blake
Also present: Attorney Max Tedford, Treasurer Melissa Brooks, Clerk Rosetta York
4. Adopt or Amend Agenda
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Reisner, to adopt the proposed agenda.
Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg
Nays: None
5. Approval of Regular Minutes of April 3, 2018
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Brooks, to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting of the Newton City Council April 3, 2018.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg, Rubsam
Nays: None
6. Approval of Bills & Accounts Payable
Alderman Rubsam reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $251,685.45 and the bills and accounts
payable earlier today and made a motion to approve the pre-paids and authorize payment of the
bills and accounts payable in the amount of $83,594.69. Bloomberg seconded the motion.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg, Rubsam, Brown
Nays: None
7. Public Comments/Communications: Sarah Weiler from Integrated Therapy Services spoke to
the council about expanding their services to their clients and working with the
City and local businesses to do vocation training. They are servicing 7 counties and are growing.
They will be hiring more people. They will be have a monthly market to help with funding and to
acquaint the community with them. Integrated Therapy Services will remain in Newton.
8. Old Business:
a. Consider and act on Consider and act on 2018-19 City of Newton balanced budget.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Brooks to approve the 2018-19 City of Newton
balanced budget.
Ayes: Reisner, Bloomberg, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on bids received for 602 Stevens St. property.
No bids were received. No action taken. For Sale sign at location.
c. Consider and act on bids sidewalk, curb and gutter, driveway pavement and miscellaneous items
located on S. Van Buren St. (Bid letting 10:00 AM April 17, 2018 in City Hall.)
Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Brown, to accept J. B. Esker bid for $32,846.70 for
sidewalk, curb and gutter, driveway pavement and miscellaneous items located on S. Van Buren
St. (Project to start early to Mid May)
Ayes: Bloomberg, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner
Nays: None
d. Consider and act on 2018 bids for annual MFT Street Maintenance Program. (bid letting is April 16,
2017 at 10:00 AM in city hall)
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Bloomberg, to accept the following bids for the 2018
MFT Street Maintenance Program: Lee Kintner & Sons Inc. from Mt. Carmel for MIT materials
seal coat AC-5 in the amount of $46,984.60; Heuerman Bros. from Effingham for aggregate CA-6
in the amount of $1,950.00; Heuerman Bros. from Effingham for aggregate CA-16 in the amount
of $10,736.55; Charles Heuerman Trucking Co. from Teutopolis for FA-1 Sand in the amount of
$1,000.00; Compass Materials America Inc. from Overland Park, KS for salt in the amount of
$7,030.50.
Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg
Nays: None
e. Consider and act on Resolution 18-05 River Walk 5K Fun Run Walk.
Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Bloomberg, to pass Resolution 18-05 River Walk 5K
Fun Run Walk.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg, Rubsam
Nays: None
Acknowledge retirement of Alice Addis, effective June 8, 2018.
Mayor Bolander recognized Alice Addis “In grateful appreciation of outstanding leadership, Service
and Dedication to the City of Newton from 2004 to 2018”.
9. New Business :
a. Consider and act on Department head wage increase.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Rubsam, to authorize a pay increase for $.85 per
hour effective May 1, 2018 for Department Heads.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg, Rubsam, Brown
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on part-time wage increase.
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Rubsam to authorize part-time wage increase of
$.50 per hour effective May 1, 2018.
Ayes: Reisner, Bloomberg, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
c. Consider and act on 18-03 City Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map.
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Rubsam, to approve 18-03 City Ordinance
Amending the Zoning Map
Ayes: Bloomberg, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner
Nays: None
d. Consider and act on 18-04 City Ordinance Vacating an Alley - (Medicine Shoppe & Newton Medical
Complex)
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Bloomberg, to approve 18-04 City Ordinance Vacating
an Alley - (Medicine Shoppe & Newton Medical Complex).
Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg
Nays: None
10. Committee Reports or Council Representative Reports:
Negotiation Committee 4-5: Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM. Council went into Executive Session
to discuss contract proposal. Out of Executive Session at 6:45 PM. Local 1197 and union
representative, Doug Towler, invited in at 6:45 PM to discuss Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Meeting adjourned at 7:23 PM.
Water Committee 4-9: Cobblestone Hotel water line issues: Water meter was running backwards, hotel
check valves were replaced which did not help. The State Plumbing Inspector recommended to replace
the meter completely. Shannon Woodard thought that would solve the issue. Two minor IEPA violations
that need to be addressed were also brought up and will be taken care of by Water Department.
Adjourned 5:55 PM
EMA Committee 4-12: Ed Francis has reported that the year has started off slow regarding call outs.
They did have storm watchers out one day last week. Ed and Doug recently attended an annual
pipeline safety meeting in Effingham. The current FAA certified drone pilots are Bruce Lewis with
E.M.A., Caleb Swick with the County, and Riley Britton with the Newton PD. They are looking into
getting a couple more drone batteries and a couple more charges. This would enable then to operate
nearly nonstop for an hour minus the time to change batteries. From what they can tell so far the
batteries last 15-20 minutes depending on wind conditions. Total cost for the batteries and charges
would be $400-500. The drone with its detection equipment has had fair success with the detection of
marijuana and methamphetamine locations. Its detection sensors are said to rival those of our K9 unit.
The Committee adjourned to the parking lot for a flight demonstration with the regular and infrared
cameras. Meeting adjourned at 6:45pm
Finance Committee 4-12: Melissa gave a lengthy and informative department by department
overview of the 2018-2019 budget explaining department budgets and line items. Raymond Reynolds
spoke of a used hydro-vac the Sewer Department is considering purchasing. He recommended a hydro
wand be installed on the hydro-vac if purchased for more versatility in separating soil from multiple
underground utilities. It's a cost-effective way of locating utilities without the possible damage from
digging. The hydro-vac w/wand would be used by all departments. Estimated cost of the wand installed
is $8500. Committee recommends this system based on cost savings and versatility if the used hydrovac
is purchased. 6:58 PM - 7:30 PM Executive Session to discuss part-time and department head
wages. Meeting adjourned 7:31 PM
11. Statements:
Council Members:
Bloomberg: Social Media for the City and County on Facebook and Instagram are about the same. Gave
the Jasper County Animal Report.
Reisner: Hazardous Waste removal costs Robinson $70,000 with corporate sponsers. This is not a
service Newton can afford at this time. Wastewater 2008 hydro evac-truck for $153,455, with $8,800
hydro-evac unit paid by Electric Department.
Brooks: No comments
Brown: Pool painter started sand blasting Monday and painting today. House numbers are required for all
residents within the City of Newton. Emergency responder are having a hard time finding addresses.
Please for your own safety make sure your residence has the correct street number.
Rubsam: Still working on 5K Fun Run Walk. Applying Heath Grant. The chamber has several upcoming
events and if you want to volunteer, all are welcome.
City Attorney: No Comments
City Treasurer: Presented 2 appropriation changes
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Brooks, to make the following appropriation
changes in the General Fund Police Department $50.00 from contingency fund to building
improvements and Electric Department move $46,000.00 from contingency fund to system
repair.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg, Reisner
Nays: None
City Clerk: Frank X. Heiligenstein (Illinois Codification Services) has been very sick. Jennifer Hinterscher
is want to meet with all persons who might be involved in the Chamber’s summer fireworks
Mayor: Jasper County State’s Attorney Chad Miller “Take a Bite Out of Crime” golf outing is July 20, 2018.
12. Next Regular Meeting: May 1, 2018 at 6:00 pm
Scheduled Committee Meetings: Water and Wastewater joint Committee Meeting April 23,
2018 at 5:30 pm and JEDI May 1, 2018
13. Executive Session: Litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate and personnel
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Rubsam, to go out of open session and into closed
session to discuss litigation, potential litigation and sale of real estate pursuant to the exceptions
section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg, Rubsam, Brown
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 7:00 PM.
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Rubsam, to go out of closed session and back into
open session.
Ayes: Reisner, Bloomberg, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:14 PM.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation,
sale of real estate and personnel.
14. Adjournment
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Brown, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Bloomberg, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:16 pm.
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