City of Newton City Council met November 6.
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
Present: Steve Rubsam, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Robert Reisner, Eric Blake, Marlene Harris
Absent: None
Also present: Attorney Max Tedford, Treasurer Melissa Brooks, Clerk Rosetta York
4. Adopt or Amend Agenda: # 6 Heather Malone was a no show
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Harris, to adopt the amended agenda.
Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake and Harris
Nays: None
5. Approval of Regular Minutes of October 16, 2018
Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Harris, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the October 16, 2018 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris and Rubsam
Nays: None
6. Public Comments/Communications: Heather Malone
7. Old Business:
A. Consider and act on a donation to INRR Santa Train of $250 for coats, hats and gloves.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Reisner, to authorize a contribution of $250.00 to the Indiana Railroad Santa Train for coats, hats and gloves.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Rubsam and Brown
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on a 5% heath insurance rate increase for 2019.
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris, to authorize a 5% health insurance rate increase for 2019 at the following costs:
Spouse 1 Child 2 Children Spouse +1 Child Spouse +2 Children Family
$244.45 $148.38 $177.20 $392.79 $421.64 $450.71
MRP Rates per individual 2019 Rate $8.54 per individual.
Family Dental is an additional $38.59 monthly.
City Contribution per Employee – Major Medical $438.31
Dental $38.59
Life $8.82
$485.72
Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Rubsam, Brown and Brooks
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on renewing the agreement with CoreSource to administer benefit plans.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Rubsam, to approve renewing the 2 year agreement with CoreSource to administer benefit plans.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks and Reisner
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on bid received for South Water Tower painting.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Rubsam, to approve awarding the South Water Tower Painting base bid to Hanfland Painting Contractors for $ 116,500.
Ayes: Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner and Blake
Nays: None
8. New Business:
A. Consider and act on approving Christmas bonuses for all present full-time and part-time employees.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Rubsam, to authorize a Christmas bonus of an extra day’s pay or a day off with pay (to be taken by April 30, 2019) be given to fulltime employees and to part-time employees who have worked at least 3 months and are currently working.
Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake and Harris
Nays: None
9. Committee Reports or Council Representative Reports:
Personnel, October 24: The committee met at 5:30 with Department heads present. Each Department head discussed what was going on. The meeting went very well and was very informative. The new truck parking lot was discussed. The meeting adjourned at 7:16 PM
Finance, October 29: The treasurer's office has determined that the City would need to levy $631,000 for the tax year 2018. The amount to be levied will not exceed 5% of the 2017 tax year levy extended. Substantial changes include lowering the Work Comp levy and increasing the Social Security levy. There is approximately a $30,000 increase in the 2018 levy.
Committee discussed parking fees at the city owned truck parking lot. Pads and electrical hook-ups will be installed soon. Discussion on means to recoup some of the city expenses included monthly and yearly fees, various fee amounts and sticker purchases. No agreement was reached. Mayor asked committee to consider all the alternatives and the matter will be discussed at a later meeting in the near future. Adjourned 6:12 PM
Insurance, October 29:
Health Insurance:
Meeting called to order and the floor was given to Melissa Brooks. Insurance meetings were held prior to this year every other year. I am to get with Melissa every quarter to review Poke amount, and meetings are now going to be held every year to review the Poke amount to make sure we are on track and not going in the hole. Last year we had $221000 in the Poke this year we are down to $209,976. Increase in rates are needed to bring this amount back up.
It was suggested that the employee dependents Health insurance rates be increased by 5% and city contribution on employee also increase 5%, effective Jan 1, 2019. This is to be put on agenda to be voted on by council at next meeting.
CoreSource:
It was discussed that we need to add a one page amendment to the Health coverage book to add the Non-Discrimination Notice with 67 taglines.
Discussed the renewal fee and proposed to accept the 1 1/2% on a 2 year agreement with CoreSource, to be put on the agenda to be voted on at next council meeting.
Risk Management Association:
Overall premium did not change. There was a discussion on paying the premium early to receive a 1% discount of $845.34. It was agreed to pay by Nov 21 to receive the discount.
JEDI, November 6:
Mark Bolander – Andy Johnson will be taking lead of the project and hope to have something to show sometime soon. We will bring the logo to show for a meeting. Chamber will no longer be involved in the marketing hub. The tourism council has shown interest to take over the Chamber’s spot. Monthly Updates: Amber Volk, Executive Director--Touched base a little bit about the new Opportunity Zone. She will go into more details in the next meeting once more information is provided by the state. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton--Looking to add a daycare in Newton.
There is a big call for babysitting, roughly 50-66 kids will be held at the daycare. Medical center is still underway. Parking lot behind hotel built by city, looking to start on concrete work and electricity for semis, looking to do a sticker permit for trucks, will need to come to city hall or police department for permit for parking. Trick-or-treat night was beautiful weather and lots of children showed and enjoyed. When using the walking trails, please be aware of hunting season. Pay attention what time of day you use the trails. Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board Chairman--Hope everyone has or will vote by 7pm tonight (Nov 6th). Moved the County Board meeting to Nov 15th due to Thanksgiving. Dec 3rd will be the reorganizational at 12pm located in the County Board Room.
10. Statements:
Council Members:
Harris: No comments
Blake: Gave the Jasper County Animal Report
Reisner: The Street Department leaf vacuuming is going very well.
Brooks: Water Dept. will have a PO for the next meeting to repair the chlorine system and they are interested in looking at a 2 inch tapping bit.
Brown: No comments
Rubsam: No comments
City Attorney: No comments
City Treasurer: Treasurer Statement: “The treasurer’s office has determined that the City would need to levy $631,000 for the tax year 2018. The amount to be levied will not exceed 5% of the 2017 tax year levy extended.”
City Clerk: The county dumpster schedule is in your packet.
Mayor: Eagle Trail deer hunting sign are to be placed before the first shot gun season. Amber Volk will represent the City of Newton at South Central llinois Regional Planning and Development Commission.
11. Next Regular Meeting: November 20, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Scheduled Committee Meetings: None
12. Executive Session: Litigation, potential litigation and sale of real
Motion was made by Rubsam, 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: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris and Rubsam
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:32 PM.
Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Brown, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Rubsam and Brown
Nays: None
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation and sale of real estate.
Open session resumed at 7:21 PM.
Discussed Cobblestone Parking lot.
13. Adjournment
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Blake, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Rubsam, Brown and Brooks
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.
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