City of Newton City Council met May 15.
Here is the minutes 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 Robert Reisner
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Robert Reisner
3. Roll Call: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: Steve Rubsam, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Robert Reisner, Eric Blake, and Marlene Harris
Absent: None
Also present: Attorney Max Tedford, Treasurer Melissa Brooks, Clerk Rosetta York
4. Adopt Or Amend Agenda: Add Finance and Water Committee Meetings to # 10, move
#7 to follow #9,Delete from # 7 Mandy Reiman and add John Stone
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Rubsam, to adopt the amended agenda.
Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
5. Approval Of Regular Minutes of May 1, 2018:
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Brooks, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Newton City Council May 1, 2018.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Rubsam
Nays: None
6. Approval Of Bills & Accounts Payable
Alderman Rubsam reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $ 160,329.81 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 $112,971.88. Brooks seconded the motion.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Rubsam, Brown
Nays: None
7. Public Comments/Communications: Doug Long speaking on new notification system, Code Red and John Stone. Presented after agenda item #9 at 6:30 pm.
Doug Long:
• The new emergency notification system is “Code Red” which is replacing Blackboard.
• Weather alerts are by phone, cell phone, text and/or emails. Local alerts are by phone and cell phones.
• There is a link on the City’s web page, http://www.cityofnewtonil.com/, Jasper County Sheriff’s web site. http://www.jaspercountysheriff.net/, Jasper County Health Department web site, http://www.jasperhealth.org/, and it is on the city’s Facebook page. Everyone has to sign up for the new Code Red system even if you were on the old system.
• There are more options than the last system and you can edit your account at anytime.
• The new Code Red will go live July 1, 2018.
John Stone: Met with Eskers and they should be starting the S. Van Buren St sidewalk project possibly Thursday or Monday.
8. Old Business:
a. Consider and act on TIF agreement with Newton Medical Complex LLC.
Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Harris to approve and authorize TIF agreement with Newton Medical Complex LLC for the total maximum amount of $ 333,000 of TIF eligible reimbursements over 12 year period from the date of the agreement.
Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Rubsam, Brooks
Abstain: Brown
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on authorizing Connor & Connor to proceed with Dhom extension and 3 additional bores.
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Rubsam, to authorize authorizing Connor & Connor to proceed with Dhom extension and 3 additional bores.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner
Nays: None
9. New Business:
a. Consider and act on 2 Newton Police officers to attend IJOA & IDOA training on June 13- 15, 2018, fees are $725.00 (2 meals and membership dues included in fees) plus allowable expenses.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Rubsam, to authorize 2 Newton Police officers to attend IJOA & IDOA training on June 13-15, 2018, fees are $725.00 (2 meals and membership dues included in fees) plus allowable expenses.
Ayes: Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake
Nays:
b. Consider and act on authorizing Kathy Hayes and Brenda Phillips to sign checks in the absence of Clerk Rosetta York.
Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Harris to authorize Kathy Hayes and Brenda Phillips to sign checks in the absence of Clerk Rosetta York.
Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Melissa Brook left at 6:30 pm
#7 Public Comments were given.
10. Committee Reports Or Council Representative Reports: Finance 5-7-18 and Water 5-9-18
Finance: Reviewed Newton Medical Complex LLC TIF application. Ken will review TIF eligible expenses for a 10-year agreement on estimated property taxes. Amanda reviewed the status of the Riverwalk Trail fundraising plan and recommended fundraising plans to be implemented. This includes forming a ten-member committee, Community Foundation assistance applying for grants and providing information to the public though media and Chamber of Commerce community events. Discussed an Economic Development Coordinator position and/or assistant. The position would be an employee of JEDI or an independent contractor. After a job description is developed the position will be advertised followed by job interviews this summer.
Water: Discussed Dhom water main extension and add 3 bores for individual services lines for the homes across the highway. The service lines are undersized for the 3 houses. Total Cost including the 3 bores is approximately $54,000 minus the cost share of $11,700, leaving $42,300 for water department. Tyler ask about new high visibility shirts for city workers. Adjourned at 6:00 pm
11.Statements:
Council Members:
Rubsam: May 19th Fun Run Walk, Everyone is welcome. Free Burgers and Ice Cream at Peterson Park after the dedication of the “Old River Bridge” on Eagle Trail at 9:30 am.
Brown: Called a Police Committee Meeting on June 4th at 5:30 pm to open Bids for new police vehicle. Looking at signs for Eagle Trails. Pool will open May 25th.
Brooks: Personnel Meeting May 21, 2018 at 6:00 pm for Department updates.
Reisner: Tony Brooks has suggests putting warning signs on Eagle Trails during deer season. Street Department tractor and street sweeper have been breaking down often. Tractor repair is going to cost about $6,000. Wastewater Department has one quote for a dewatering sludge dumpster which has a perforated bottom at an additional cost of $4,697.00, total estimate of $14,398.70.
Blake: No Comments
Harris: Attended the RMTD (Rides Mass Transit District) Listening Session at the Chamber office today. It is $2.00/ride and a one month pass for $25.00. Better advertising to get the information to the public was discussed.
Marlene left at 6:45
City Attorney: No Comment
City Treasurer: Not Present
City Clerk, (PO for Park Department)
Clerk York presented a Park Department purchase order for the roofing the Big pavilion at Peterson Park.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Reisner, to authorize Park Department purchase order: Schackmann Insulation & Construction to roof Big pavilion for $9788.00.
Ayes: Brown, Reisner, Blake, Rubsam
Nays: None
Mayor:
• The Governor announce housing grant recipients on May 11, 2018. City of Newton’s targeted area has received a $495,252 grant from DCEO’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The City has pledged an additional $10,000. Zero dollars from the CDBG goes to the city, all the funds are applied to the approved properties which will be determined from the targeted area.
• Robert Reisner check into getting “Habitat for Humanity” chapter started in the area. It requires $50,000 funds per house and a review board to interview applicants.
• Keep thinking about ways to incentivize persons to build in the City of Newton.
• JCCU # 1 is expanding their mentoring program to K thru 12. If anyone is interested please contact the Unit office for details, 783-8459.
• The five groups (Jasper County, City of Newton, Jasper Chamber, JCCU #1 and JEDI) have been working on a strategic plan for our community’s branding. Some ideas for a community logo were presented.
• There is a Federal Build grant available thru IDOT, John Stone has checked into it. The information will be sent to department and council
12. Next Regular Meeting: June 5, 2018 at 6:00 pm
Scheduled Committee Meetings: Personnel Committee Meeting May 21, 2018 at 6:00 pm
13. Executive Session: Litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate and personnel
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Reisner, 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, Rubsam, Brown
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 7:07 pm.
Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Brown, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Blake, Rubsam, Brown, Reisner
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:24 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 Brown, seconded by Blake, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Reisner, Blake
Nays: None
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