City of Newton City Council met December 4.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
Public Hearing at 5:30 pm December 4, 2018 at City Hall
RE: CDBG Housing Grant: To support the Submission of 2018 CDB RLF Housing Rehabilitation Grant to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity with State Of Illinois.
Summary:
Luke Eastin: Explained this is an application for the use of the RLF fund which the State of Illinois recommended to use with the Housing Grant as a way the City could use the RLF before the State takes it back. He fielded questions.
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
Present: Steve Rubsam, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Robert Reisner and Marlene Harris
Absent: Eric Blake
Also present: Attorney Max Tedford, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York
4. Adopt or Amend Agenda: Add # 6 Jerry Swisher and Change 8A to 3 employees, fees $280.50
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 November 20, 2018
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Rubsam, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the November 20, 2018 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Rubsam
Nays: None
6. Public Comments/Communications: Jerry Swisher ask council for options on his mother’s sidewalks. The Councilmen are going to get back to him with their options.
7. Old Business:
A. Consider and act on Ordinance 18-15 Annual Tax Levy.
Motion was made by Rubsam, seconded by Brooks, to pass Ordinance 18-15 Annual Tax Levy.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Rubsam, Brown,
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on the Abatement Certificate for Aquatic Facility.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Rubsam, to authorize the Abatement Certificate for Aquatic Facility.
Ayes: Reisner, Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on 18-12 Resolution Supporting the Submission of a 2018 CDB RLF Housing Rehabilitation Grant to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, State Of Illinois
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Rubsam, to pass 18-12 Resolution Supporting the Submission of a 2018 CDB RLF Housing Rehabilitation Grant to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, State Of Illinois
Ayes: Harris, Rubsam, Brooks, Reisner
Abstain: Brown
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on quotes for the demolition of 404 E. Morgan St.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Rubsam, to approve awarding the quote for the demolition of 404 E. Morgan St. to R. L. Sparks, $ 3500.00 for demo buildings and $4,800.00 dumpsters.
Ayes: Rubsam, Brooks, Reisner, Harris
Nays: Brown
E. Consider and act on accepting the Jasper County logo, for JEDI, Unit #1, Chamber, City and county.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Rubsam, to accept the Jasper County logo, for JEDI, Unit #1, Chamber, City and county.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Rubsam
Nays: None
8. New Business:
A. Consider and act on 3 Electric employees attending a 2 day training for Commercial Pesticide Training and Certification Clinics with fees of $280.50 plus allowable expenses.
Motion was made by Riesner, seconded by Rubsam, to authorize 3 employees to attend a two (2) day Commercial Pesticide Training and Certification Clinics with fees of $280.50 ($93.50 per person) plus allowable expenses.
Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Harris, Rubsam, Brown
Nays: None
9. Committee Reports or Council Representative Reports:
Finance, November 26:
Lee gave examples of the possible design of the elevated portion of the River Walk and noted an environmental impact study is expected to be completed next summer. Final IDOT approval will be needed following the study and engineering work will be completed pending approval. Construction is estimated to begin in 2020.
Amanda updated the committees on current pledges and pledge amounts.
Discussion ensued about ideas to better inform the public of the reasons for the River Walk and how to generate public interest. Ideas included social media, community events, person to person contact and a contact committee.
Mayor Bolander appointed a public information committee to include Diane Scott, Melissa Borgic, Jennifer Hinterscher, Marlene Harris and Steve Rubsam with two other person to be contacted. Amanda Lessley, Mark Bolander and Lee Beckman will be advisors to the newly formed committee.
City Treasurer Melissa Brooks updated the committees on the status of the River Walk grant monies and the city's portion of the 20% cost sharing monies.
JEDI, December 4:
Community Marketing Program Update: The new logo is finished. You can find the new logo at the end of the minutes. For any entities that need their title added to the logo (Economic Development, Chamber, Newton Community High School), please let Amber Volk know and she will personalize it for you. 2019 JEDI meeting dates and locations were discussed and approved.
Monthly Updates: Amber Volk, Executive Director, Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton: On Feb 6th 2019 at the Annual JEDI Celebration, someone will be awarded the Economic Developer of the year. If you would like to nominate someone, please contact Scott Bierman. The City of Newton is currently working on multiple projects, still working on the parking lot located near Cobblestone Hotel and Suites. We will continue to rebrand Jasper County, will continue in a few months. Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board Chairman: Ben Bollman is new to the county board and is also a new member to JEDI. Results from the reorganizational meeting: Ron Heltsley is Chairman and Jason Warfel is Vice Chairman for Jasper County Board. On Tuesday December 11th at 6:00pm located in the County Board Room, a special meeting about the new county jail will take place. Beth Probst, Principle of Newton Community High School: Schools have a lot of community projects currently underway: Shoe Boxes, canned food drive, coat drive. Coats and canned food will be distributed on Dec 15th, Christmas programs start Sunday at St. Thomas at 12pm and currently working on getting a plan together for the use of the 1% sales tax. Three high school students will be attending the JEDI meetings: Wyatt Zumbahlen, Jacelyn Street and Emily Dion.
Natalie Hopson: Holly Jolly is currently in full swing. All of the events and schedule is attached to the email, year book will be taking pictures on the 15th and Chamber Holiday hours are in effect, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am – 2pm.
10. Statements:
Council Members:
Harris: Hoped everyone gets out to support Holly Jolly Christmas.
Reisner: Street Department will vacuum leaves until and on Dec. 6.
Brooks: Water Department worked on a water leak located on S. Van Buren St. with the Hydro-Vac truck and the skid stir jack hammer. Both are labor saving and safer.
Brown: No Comment
Rubsam: No Comment
City Attorney: No Comment
City Treasurer: No Comment
City Clerk: No Comment
11. Next Regular Meeting: December 18, 2018 at 6:00 pm
Scheduled Committee Meetings: None
12. Executive Session: Litigation, potential litigation and sale 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 and sale of real estate pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Reisner, Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:35 pm.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Rubsam, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 6:50 pm.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation and sale of real estate.
13. Adjournment
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Rubsam, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Rubsam, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Harris
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 6:59 pm.
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