East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met May 5.

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 David Brown.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman David Brown.

3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta York, City Clerk

Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Larry Brooks, Robert Riesner, Eric Blake and Marlene Harris

Also present: Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: Add John Stone and Mike Swick to #6.

Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to adopt the amended agenda. Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of April 21, 2020.

Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Brooks, to approve the minutes of the April 21, 2020 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac

Nays: None

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: John Stone and Chief Mike Swick

John Stone: IDOT has been authorized to give grants to local public agencies for rebuilding Illinois. Two allotments per year for three years based on population (It is based on the MFT formula but these are not MFT disbursements.) The funds are to be used for construction related expenses of public infrastructure and other transportation improvement projects to REBUILD Illinois.

Chief Mike Swick: “City Wide Clean Up” is May 15 and 16. It will be in a new location north of City Hall, with the entrance on Marion St. by the City’s Street Department. The City is not taking electronic this year. Jasper County will be having an electronic collection on August 29, 2020.

7. OLD BUSINESS: None

8. NEW BUSINESS: None

9. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: None

10. STATEMENTS:

Council Members:

Brooks: He met with the Water Department at the South Water Tower to discuss the fence repairs needed. The city employees thought they could make the repairs.

Harris: She had been ask if Newton residents could have chickens. It was discussed by others that the Revised City Code of Ordinances does not allow chickens.

Reisner: Rob Matson had said he is waiting for Ameren to pay for the outstanding bill with the City. Providing hand sanitizer to Jasper County citizens was a good idea.

Blake: He thinks the Intergovernmental Agreements dealing with animal control should be reviewed by the city for possible improvements and/or corrections. Possibly, the city would drop them completely.

Brown: He agreed with Alderman Blake.

Glumac: The detention pond behind Dollar General is holding water. John Stone said it is probably a plastic bag over the drain. Riesner will have Street Department check into this matter.

City Attorney: Not present

City Treasurer: No comment

City Clerk: Electric Department PO # 223276 and Park Department PO

Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Blake, to authorize Electric Department purchase order #223276 for $17,870.00.00 for 2 transformers from Dakota Diamond Transformers.

Ayes: Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown

Nays: None

Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to authorize Park Department purchase order for $12,078.00 to Alliance Tractor LLC for a John Deere 1025R sub Compact Tractor with 60 inch mid mount mower deck.

Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks

Nays: None

Mayor:

• Some privately owned businesses are requiring masks. Be respectful.

• Gina Kocher sent a Thank you to the City for their support for the Jasper CEO program.

• Both Jasper County Cancer Support Group and The Jasper County Home Front sent thank you letters for the City’s support from the Dues and Donations fund.

• We can do the next council meeting on Zoom. The majority of the council wanted it in the Police garage.

• He ask Reisner to call a Street Committee Meeting to discuss the projects for the IDOT’s “REBUILD Illinois Grant”

11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 6:00 PM

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: None

12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate and purchase of real estate.

Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brooks, 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: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner

Nays: None

Open session suspended at 7:00 PM

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

Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake

Nays: None

Open session resumed at 7:14 PM.

Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate and purchase of real estate.

13. ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Brooks, to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Reisner, Blake, Harris

Nays: None

Meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.

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