City of Newton City Council met June 5.

By Lhalie Castillo

Jun 14, 2018

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 Eric Blake

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Steve Rubsam

3. Roll Call: Rosetta York, City Clerk

Physically present: Steve Rubsam, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Eric Blake, Marlene Harris

Absent: Robert Reisner

Also present: Attorney Max Tedford, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York

4. Adopt Or Amend Agenda: Delete # 7C and #6 Mandy Reiman canceled will come to next meeting.

Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to adopt the amended agenda.

Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris

Nays: None

5. Approval Of Regular Minutes of, May 15, 2018

Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Brooks, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Newton City Council held May 15, 2018.

Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris, Rubsam

Nays: None

6. Public Comments/Communications: Mandy Reiman, RN-Jasper County Health Department

7. Old Business:

A. Consider and act on IDOT’s BLR 05311 the Local Public Agency Amendment #1 for Eagle Trail Phase III, Streetscape, Section 13-00047-00-SW.

Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Rubsam, to authorize the IDOT’s BLR 05311 the Local Public Agency Amendment #1 for Eagle Trail Phase III, Streetscape, Section 13-00047-00-SW.

Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Harris, Rubsam, Brown

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on Pay Estimate #1 for the South Van Buren Sidewalk Project to J.B. Esker & Sons for $32,230.27 with Marilyn’s Liquor Cabinet to reimburse the City 10% of total cost.

Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Brooks, authorize Pay Estimate #1 for the South Van Buren Sidewalk Project to J.B. Esker & Sons for $32,230.27 with Marilyn’s Liquor Cabinet to reimburse the City 10% of total cost.

Ayes: Blake, Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on the Newton Police vehicle bid selected in the Police Committee meeting on June 4, 2018.

8. New Business:

A. Consider and act on Newton Police Officer and Dano to attend USPCA, United States Police Canine Association, trials on June 21-24, 2018 with fees of $60 plus allowable expenses.

Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to authorize Newton Police Officer and Dano to attend USPCA, United States Police Canine Association, trials on June 21-24, 2018 with fees of $60 plus allowable expenses.

Ayes: Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Blake

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on hiring Alec Westrich as a fulltime employee for Newton Police Department since he has fulfilled his probation training period.

Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Rubsam, to authorize hiring Alec Westrich as a fulltime employee for Newton Police Department since he has fulfilled his probation training period.

Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris

Nays: None

9. Committee Reports Or Council Representative Reports: Personnel May 21 Police June 4 and JEDI June 5

Personnel Committee May 21: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. The Committee met with the Department Heads to discuss any matters of concern. Everything seems to be going along at a good pace. Everyone is working well together. A very good and informative meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm

Police Committee June 4: Discussed the Following: Bids for new police vehicle were opened. No action taken. Mike received quote of $1,600 for windows and door at City Hall from Hankins & Fisher.

Mike requested permission for the Newton PD to be a sponsor at the “Mini Monster” event at the Fair. Internet speeds at PD/City Hall were discussed. Cell coverage in City/PD was discussed. Upgrade with a signal booster would cost $700. Generator failure during Thursday’s storm was mentioned. Purchasing a portable backup generator to help water/sewer issues during outages was discussed. Adjourned at 6:05 pm

JEDI: Community marketing program

Monthly Updates

Ken Larimore and Scott Bierman, JEDI – Biodiesel is still talking. An event center site is still being researched. July 3 meeting may be moved to July 10 to tour DM Welding and Hartrich’s Processing. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton— Spoke on Bridge Dedication Ribbon cutting and 5K. TSC is doing well and offering a price match with competitors. The City received housing grant and is trying for a grant to improve part of the highway.

Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board Chairman –Spoke on gaming money and Gun rights in the county Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Schools – Brought 8 new buses.

Chamber- Summerfest did well. Aug 3 is cruise.

10. Statements:

Council Members:

Rubsam: Bridge Dedication Ribbon cutting and 5K was a success. They are not sure of funds raised yet. He is very thankful for all of the volunteers and sponsors which are too numerous to list. Summerfest was a success. Light parade was great. A good turnout. There were some weather issues which complicated thing, but overall a good thing for Newton.

Brown: Pool Manager, Cheryl, reported attendance is good. Memorial Day the pool had 365 people. Department Heads, Police and First responders want the Council to consider No Parking or 0ne-way traffic on W. Decatur St.

Brooks: In the future, there will be a Water Department Committee Meeting to discuss the Liberty St Water main.

Blake: Gave the Jasper County Animal Report.

Harris: No Comments

City Attorney: No Comments

City Treasurer: Save the date for Insurance Conference, September 25-27.

Kemper Auditing will be here next week.

City Clerk: presented 3 Water Department PO’s # 6503, # 6504 and # 6505

Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Rubsam to authorize the Water Department PO # 6503 to Midwest Meter Inc. at a cost of $21,805.32

Aye: Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris, Rubsam

Nays: None

Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris to authorize the Water Department PO # 6504 to West Tower Cleaning at a cost of $3,460.00.

Aye: Brooks, Blake, Harris, Rubsam, Brown

Nays: None

Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Rubsam to authorize the Water Department PO # 6505 to Cleaning Well # 8, Cleaning Well # 9 and air scrub of raw water line at a cost of $19,860.00.

Aye: Blake, Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks

Nays: None

Mayor:

Thanked Alderman Rubsam for all of his work on the ribbon cutting, bridge dedication and 5K.

Discussed the Utility Report, Thanked ERBA for all their help.

A request to vacate 2nd St. between Ste. Marie (an undeveloped) and Marion St. plus vacate the alley between 3rd St and 2nd St. in the same area.

Discuss with BHMG getting a new 50 KW portable generator because after last Thursday and Friday storms there were issues that need address. The Department heads are investigating the generators that may be needed.

11. Next Regular Meeting: June 19, 2018 at 6:00 pm

Scheduled Committee Meetings: Finance Committee June 14, 2018 at 5:30 pm

12. Executive Session: Litigation, potential litigation and sale of real estate

Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, 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: Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Blake

Nays: None

Open session suspended at 6:50 pm.

Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Brooks, to go out of closed session and back into open session.

Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris

Nays: None

Open session resumed at 7:00 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 Brown, seconded by Rubsam, to adjourn the meeting.

Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Blake, Harris, Rubsam

Nays: