City of Newton City Council met October 16.

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Oct 27, 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 Steve Rubsam

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

3. Roll Call: Rosetta York, City Clerk

Present: Steve Rubsam, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Robert Reisner, Marlene Harris

Absent: Eric Blake

Also present: Attorney Bill Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks, City Clerk Rosetta York

4. Adopt Or Amend Agenda: Add to #7 George Hesser, Robert McDonald and Heather Malone, and EMA to #10 and correct typo by adding #11 in front of Statements By Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Harris, to adopt the amended agenda.

Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Harris

Nays: None

5. Approval Of Regular Minutes of October 2, 2018

Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Brooks, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the October 2, 2018 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Rubsam

Nays: None

6. Approval Of Bills & Accounts Payable

Alderman Rubsam reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $489,451.02 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 $90,761.42.

Brown seconded the motion.

Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Rubsam, Brown

Nays: None

7. Public Comments/Communications: None

George Hesser: He presented a Civil law issue which he requested the council to investigate more to see if the City could possibly help resolve it. Newton Police Department has tried repeatedly to resolve this issue.

Robert McDonald and Heather Malone: They a brought property maintenance issue which is by Robert’s rental property. Newton Code enforcement officer has issued several citations which are corrected at the time of the citation. The council will investigate.

8. Old Business:

a. Consider and act on Bluestem Energy Solutions Mutual Confidential Disclosure Agreement

Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Brooks, on approving Bluestem Energy Solutions Mutual Confidential Disclosure Agreement

Ayes: None

Nays: Reisner, Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks

b. Consider concrete and electrical quotes for city-owned truck parking lot behind Cobblestone hotel.

John Stone: Presented the concrete and electrical quotes

Concrete Quotes:

John L. Lewis Construction $ 37,880.00

K & A Lewis Construction $ 26,823.00

Smithhenry Trenching $ 21,572.00

Electrical Quotes:

Huddleston Supply Inc. $8,034.47

Sandschafer Electric, Inc $9,225.00

c. Consider and act on awarding the concrete portion of city-owned truck parking lot behind Cobblestone hotel.

Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Rubsam, to authorize the concrete portion to the Smithenry Trenching and Backhoe Service quote for $19,472.00 on the entrance and $2,100 for the Dolly Pad in truck parking lot behind Cobblestone hotel, at a total of $21,572.00.

Ayes: Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner

Nays: None

d. Consider and act on awarding the electrical portion of city-owned truck parking lot behind Cobblestone hotel.

Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Harris, to authorize the electrical quote to Huddleston Supply Inc. for $8,034.47 on truck parking lot behind Cobblestone hotel.

Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Harris

Nays: None

e. Consider and act on Dumpster Reimbursement application for $2,500 for the demolition of 502 Barton St.

Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Rubsam, to authorize Dumpster Reimbursement of $2,500.00 for the demolition of 502 Barton St. to Alan and Mindy Hartke.

Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Rubsam

Nays: None

9. New Business:

a. Consider and act on Special Event Application for Jasper County Chamber ofCommerce Scare on the Square, October 20, 2018 at 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Harris, to approve Special Event Application for Jasper County Chamber of Commerce Scare on the Square, October 20, 2018 at 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Rubsam, Brown

Nays: None

b. Consider and act on Special Event Application for Jasper County Chamber of Commerce Holly Jolly, December 7, 14, 15, 21.

Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Brooks, to approve Special Event Application for Jasper County Chamber of Commerce Holly Jolly, December 7, 14, 15, 21.

Ayes: Reisner, Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks

Nays: None

c. Consider and act on City Treasurer attending Illinois Municipal Treasurers Institute November 11-15, 2018, fee is $410 plus allowable expenses.

Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Harris, to approve City Treasurer attending Illinois Municipal Treasurers Institute November 11-15, 2018, fee is $410 plus allowable expenses.

Ayes: Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner

Nays: None

10. Committee Reports Or Council Representative Reports: EMA 10-11-18 Brown: Ed and Doug reported on the following: 1. Landing zone assists are down. 2. Sept. 4th, 5th, and 6th Ed and Doug attended the EMA Summit in Springfield, IL, 3. Budget now has a line item called “Grant Expenditures”, 4. Discussed “self-reliance” in the community regarding emergency situations, 5. EMA membership has stayed consistent with what it’s been the last few years. 6. 2019 EMA quarterly meetings should be same as 2018 depending on if same or different. County EMA Chairperson.

11. Statements:

Council Members:

Rubsam: He had spoken with Lee Beckman from Milano & Grunloh. They are waiting for IEPA and IDOT to finish their studies. He anticipates this winter they will start on Eagle Trail Riverwalk.

Brown: Parks is replacing batting cage net. There is brick work and Astroturf work miniature golf which will be done next year. Brick maybe this year.

Brooks: No Comments

Reisner: Read 2018 Leaf Collection letter:

The City of Newton’s Street Department will begin vacuuming leaves along the city streets on November 1, Monday-Friday, until end of November or into first week of December if required for extended season. The leaves must be on the roadside of the ditch near the street or at the edge of the street. The city’s leaf vacuum will not reach to the opposite side of the ditch…only the street side. Leaves should not be located on the street to interfere with traffic.

Only leaves will be vacuumed, no twigs or limbs.

Between business hours of 8-5 call City Hall 618-783-8451. After 5:00 pm call the Street Department at 618-783-8511 and leave a message with your address and phone number if there are leaves to be vacuumed.

Harris: The utilities used the power rake on Marion St. and it looks great.

City Attorney: No Comment

City Treasurer: presented an appropriation change.

Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Reisner to make the following appropriation change in the Electric Department, to move $5,000 from Contingency Fund to Tool Purchase and to move $2,000 from the Contingency Fund to Equipment Repair.

Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Harris

Nays: None

City Clerk: No Comment

Mayor:

• Robert and he had attended the Eagle Pride donor appreciation dinner on the 11th. The food was good and they enjoyed it.

• INRR is asking for Santa Train donation for children coats, hats and gloves, it will be on the next agenda.

• Deer hunting season is coming. We need to consider putting informational signage on the Eagle Trail Phase I walk. Committee Chairman are going to check with the departments.

12. Next Regular Meeting: November 6, 2018 at 6:00 pm

Scheduled Committee Meetings: Personnel Committee Meeting Wednesday October 24, 2018 at 5:30 pm.

13. Executive Session: Litigation, potential litigation, personnel, sale of real estate and purchase of real estate

Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Harris, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate and purchase of real estate pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.

Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Rubsam

Nays: None

Open session suspended at 7:05 pm.

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

Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Rubsam, Brown

Nays: None

Open session resumed at 7:35 pm.

14. Adjournment

Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Brown, to adjourn the meeting.

Ayes: Reisner, Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks

Nays: None

Meeting adjourned at 7:44 pm.