City of Newton City Council met May 1.
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 Larry Brooks
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Larry Brooks
3. Roll Call: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: David Brown, Larry Brooks, Robert Reisner, Eric Blake (arrived at
6:15 pm) and Scott Bloomberg
Absent: Steve Rubsam
Also present: Attorney Max Tedford, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York
4. Adopt or Amend Agenda
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Reisner, to adopt the proposed agenda.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg
Nays: None
5. Approval of Regular Minutes of April 17, 2018
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Brooks, to approve the minutes of the
regular meeting of the Newton City Council held April 17, 2018.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Bloomberg, Brown
Nays: None
6. Public Comments/Communications: Natalie Hopson
Natalie spoke on the Special Event Permit Application for Summerfest and on the event
“Jasper in July.” The Chamber’s scheduled events are on their web and Facebook
pages.
7. Old Business:
A. Consider and act on accepting the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the
City of Newton and the Laborers' International Union of North America, the
Southern and Central Illinois Laborers' District Council and Laborers' Local 1197.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Bloomberg, to accept the Collective
Bargaining Agreement between the City of Newton and the Laborers'
International Union of North America, the Southern and Central Illinois
Laborers' District Council and Laborers' Local 1197.
Ayes: Reisner, Bloomberg, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 18-05 An Ordinance Approving Annexation
Agreement with Charles E. Dhom and Mary Evelyn Dhom to the City Of Newton, Jasper
County, Illinois.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Bloomberg, to pass Ordinance 18-05 An
Ordinance Approving Annexation Agreement with Charles E. Dhom and Mary
Evelyn Dhom to the City Of Newton, Jasper County, Illinois.
Ayes: Bloomberg, Brown, Brooks, Riesner
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing the purchase of hydro/vac truck for Wastewater
Department at a total cost of $153,455.00, with the Electric Department paying
$8,800.00 of the total cost for the hydro excavation package.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Bloomberg, to authorize the purchase
of hydro/vac truck for Wastewater Department at a total cost of $153,455.00, with
the Electric Department paying $8,800.00 of the total cost for the hydro excavation
package.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Riesner, Bloomberg
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on approving Chief Swick’s 3 year agreement.
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Brown, to approve Chief Swick’s 3
year agreement.
Ayes: Brooks, Riesner, Bloomberg, Brown
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on allowing the Newton Police Department to accept bids for the new
police vehicle.
Motion was made by Bloomberg, seconded by Brown, to allow the Newton Police
Department to accept bids for the new police vehicle.
Ayes: Riesner, Bloomberg, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
F. Consider and act on Scott Bloomberg’s resignation.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Brooks, to accept Scott Bloomberg’s
resignation.
Ayes: Mayor Bolander, Brown, Brooks, Reisner
Nays: None
Acknowledge retirement of Scott Bloomberg, effective May 1, 2018.
8. New Business:
A. Consider and act on the appointment of Marlene Harris as Ward 1, alderman.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Brooks, to approve the appointment of
Marlene Harris as Ward 1, alderman, effective May 1, 2018.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Mayor Bolander
Nays: None
Swear in Marlene Harris
Eric Blake arrived at 6:15 PM
B. Consider and act on 2018 Special Event Permit application for Newton High School
Fellowship of Christian Athletic 5K Glow walk/run.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Reisner, to approve 2018 Special Event
Permit application for Newton High School Fellowship of Christian Athletic 5K
Glow walk/run.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Brown
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on 2018 Special Event Permit application Jasper County Chamber of
Commerce Summerfest Fest, June 1-2, 2018.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Brooks, to approve 2018 Special
Event Permit 2018 Special Event Permit application Jasper County Chamber of
Commerce Summerfest Fest, June 1-2, 2018.
Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
9. Committee Reports or Council Representative Reports: Jedi 5-1-18
and Water/Wastewater Joint Committee Meeting April 23.
JEDI: Ken Larimore is retiring the end of July. JEDI is developing a job description to advertise
for economic coordinator’s position. Some updates were given.
Water/Wastewater Joint Committee Meeting April 23: Discussed Water and Sewer billing at
Tim Jones Apartments. Brent discussed new vac truck and is taking plans to D&M for the
wastewater sludge container. Cobblestone Hotel has a new water meter. Tyler is going out for
bids for a new water department truck. The water plant is back in compliance with sump
splashing and chlorinator brine tank. Adjourned at 6:15 PM
10. Statements:
Council Members
Brown: Cheryl Michl has about 6 unfilled position at the pool. We reviewed approximately 30
applicants. No decisions made at this time. No firm date for the opening of the pool, but it will
be a few days after school is out for the summer. The pool painting is done. Newton Police
Department is quiet.
Brooks: No comments
Reisner: Walk the low bottoms of the Eagle Trail north of the Old River Bridge. The City might
think about contacting the landowner to the North to see if the Park can mow the weed on their
side.
Blake: Gave the Jasper County Animal Report.
Harris: Ask about possible insurance bids this fall.
City Attorney: No comments
City Treasurer: No Comments
City Clerk: Welcomed Marlene.
Mayor:
• Self Help Housing was discussed at a mayor’s meeting. A family is selected. They do
65% of the labor and tax write-offs and tax credits pays for the materials and specialized
labor. Yost has done this in Effingham. Reisner is doing some research on how this
compares to Habitat for Humanity. He will try to get someone from Habitat for Humanity
to speak to the council.
• Also at the mayor’s meeting, he presented a list of Jasper County Assets. When you look
at all we offer in Newton and Jasper County, I am very proud of our community.
• Rides Mass Transit District (RMTD) is having a “Listening Session” on May 15, 2018 at
2:00 pm in the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce Building, 124 S. Van Buren St.,
Newton, IL.
• “Jasper County Among Best Places in Illinois for Living on Social Security” This study is
at https://smartasset.com/retirement/social-security-calculator#Illinois. Jasper County is
rank #1 in Illinois for living on Social Security Benefits. (Source: Vanette King)
11. Next Regular Meeting: May 15, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Scheduled Committee Meetings: Finance Committee May 7, 2018 at 5:30 pm
12. Executive Session: Litigation, potential litigation and sale of real estate
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Brooks, 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: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:53 pm.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Harris, to go out of closed session and back
into open session.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Brown, Brooks, Reisner
Nays:
Open session resumed at 7:05 pm.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential
litigation, sale of real estate and personnel.
13. Adjournment:
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Brooks, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Harris, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:09 pm.
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