City of Newton City Council met Nov. 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. No comments 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 Eric Blake.
3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: David Brown, Eric Blake and Marlene Harris
Also present: Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York
Absent: Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, Robert Riesner and Attorney William Heap
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Harris, to adopt the proposed agenda.
Ayes: Brown, Blake, Harris, Bolander
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of October 20, 2020.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to approve the minutes of the October 20, 2020 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Bolander, Brown
Nays: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: None
7. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund) employer contribution rate of 11.68%.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown, to authorize IMRF (Illinois
Municipal Retirement Fund) employer contribution rate of 11.68%.
Ayes: Harris, Bolander, Brown, Blake
Nays: None
8. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on approving Christmas bonuses for all present full-time and part-time employees, who have worked at least 3 months and are currently working, of an extra eight hours pay or an eight hours day off with pay to be taken by the last pay period in April 2021.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Harris, to authorize Christmas bonuses for all present full-time and part-time employees, who have worked at least 3 months and are currently working, of an extra eight hours pay or an eight hours day off with pay to be taken by the last pay period in April 2021.
Ayes: Bolander, Brown, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on Special Event Permit application for Saved by Grace “Paws for a Cause 5K” on November 28, 2020 from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Harris, to authorize the Special Event Permit application for Saved by Grace “Paws for a Cause 5K” on November 28, 2020 from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
Ayes: Brown, Blake, Harris, Bolander
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on the proposal for the City of Newton annual audit and annual TIF audit.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown, to authorize the proposal for the City of Newton annual audit and annual TIF audit.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Bolander, Brown
Nays: None
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Finance Committee 10-26-20, Electric, Park and ERTC Committee 10-28-20, Insurance Committee 10-29-20 and JEDI 11-3-20
Harris-Finance 10-26-20:
• Melissa Brooks went over information on the Tax Levy amount of $694,000 for the 2020 year for the City.
• Melissa stated “The treasurer’s office has determined that the City would need to levy $694,000 for the tax year 2020. The amount to be levied will not exceed the 2019 tax year levy extended by more than 5%.”
• IMRF was discussed and the employer contribution rate of 11.68% for the calendar year of 2021 will be voted on at the next council meeting.
• Melissa Brooks presented the auditor’s quote. Only one was received. The rates were discussed and will be voted on at next council meeting. Adjourned at 6:12 Glumac-Electric, Park and ERTC:
• The displays in the Park will be set up the weekend before Thanksgiving.
• The committee discussed types of displays and their electric needs. They are working with the City’s Electric Department.
• IDOT is going to put up “Do Not Enter” signs on the highway 130 & 33 entrance into the Park Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 and remove them Jan 1, 2021.
• The fund raisers, VFW fish fry and raffle, were very successful. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM. Harris-Insurance:
• Discussed health insurance rates effective Jan 1, 2021.
• A 1% administrative charge will be added to the reserve balance monthly.
• It was agreeable that there will be a 3% rate increase contribution on health insurance premium for both the city and the employees, and an ordinance will be written to have a $300,000 cap on the reserve balance. This reserve balance will be reviewed quarterly with a meeting.
• Discussed Property, liability, and work comp quotes.
• IMLRMA coverage and deductible limits were overall better than what other companies quoted us.
• It was recommended to stay with IMLRMA do to coverages and deductible limits. Also they guaranteed no rate increase for 2022.
• It will be put on the agenda for Nov 17 to vote on Property, Liability and Work Comp quotes.
• Adjourned at 6:37
Harris-JEDI:
Monthly Updates
a. Amber Volk, Executive Director
i. Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant: IDCEO requested Newton Elite Fitness to complete another GATA Budget.
ii. Newton Senior Living Complex: work has started. They are looking to be walled up by winter.
iii. National Rural Economic Development Association Conference: I will be attending conference from November 4th-6th.
iv. Rotary had to cancel last porkburger fundraiser due to weather. Will be looking into a winter fundraiser.
v. Website Job Listings: list your business’s job listings! https://jaspercountyillinois.org/job-listings
b. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton
i. Lots of construction going on.
ii. Painting on the square still needs to be completed.
iii. Sarah Bush Lincoln Clinic issues with storm and sewer lines are now figured out.
iv. River Walk: should go out for bids first of year. Looking a Spring or Summer to start.
v. Christmas Lighting: Tourism and the Leachmans will be doing a Christmas Lights display at Person Park. Lanette Huddleston is working on Christmas lights at the Old Mill Bridge.
vi. First National Bank of Olney had their ground breaking.
vii. West End Reception and Events: Doug W.: Doing a lot of work yesterday; drywall, guttering. Parking is complete. First event is December 5th.
viii. Last home in Five Aprils was sold. Currently 8 homes and still vacant lots.
ix. GSI: Doing improvements. Used TIF money for Storm water, parking low resurface, reskinning of building.
x. Railroad crossing activity: crossing arms.
c. Jason Warfel, Jasper County Board Vice Chairman
i. It’s Election Day. Go Vote.
ii. Next County Board meeting Nov 12th @ 7pm in person to pass budget. Nov 9th Finance meeting.
d. Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1.
i. School Board voted to purchase Sunrise Center. Asking Zoning Board to re-zone for the education of children. Ste. Marie will be moved to Sunrise Center. This will save money compared to building new.
ii. School will do everything they can to play sports.
iii. Nov 16th is next Board meeting.
e. Sarah Kinkade, Chamber of Commerce Director
i. Finished Shoptober, $52,000 in receipts = $1,000 Chamber Bucks. Will be doing it again starting Black Friday.
ii. No Holly Jolly big Saturday event. Might have the Santa House on the Square.
iii. We have great ideas for 2021 events.
iv. Expert Collision is the Chamber Member of the Month. Currently doing a $500 gift certificate to Hartrich Meats giveaway for vehicles that hit deer.
f. Amber Wakefield, Marketing Manager
i. Monthly Newsletter: send to friends.
ii. Birthday and Anniversaries on marquee: $20 for birthdays and anniversaries to be displayed on the Marquee. Runs Tuesday – Tuesday. Must have request and payment in 1 week in advance. I'm only allowing 3 per week, 1st come, first serve. I will have a form that I can email people if they don't live in JC and want to put something up. There will be a limit to characters or templates but I'm not certain what that actually is at the moment. Checks get made to Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, 124 S. Van Buren, Newton, IL 62448. No charge for 100yr(+) birthdays or 75yr(+) anniversaries.
iii. Sarah K: Jasper County shirts and sweatshirts will be available for purchase soon. Can be shipped or picked up.
10. STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Brown: He spoke with Andre Leachman when delivered a generator. They have received close to 25 Christmas displays. There is a need for volunteers to help set up the displays and take down the displays. If you can help please contact Jasper County Embarras River Tourism Council at jcertc@gmail.com.
Blake: No comments
Harris: No comments
City Treasurer:
Treasurer Statement: “The treasurer’s office has determined that the City would need to levy $694,000 for the tax year 2020. The amount to be levied will not exceed the 2019 tax year levy extended by more than 5%.”
City Clerk: No comments
Mayor:
• The Christmas displays in the park and the lights on the bridge are great. I hope when the Riverwalk can be incorporated in the display eventually.
• We are in Region #6 for Covid-19. The 7-day rolling average of cases is above 8% so our mitigation level has been raised.
11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Finance Committee Meeting Nov 17, 2020 at 5:30 PM before the Council Meeting
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate and purchase of real estate.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown, 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: Harris, Bolander, Brown, Blake
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:36 PM
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Blake, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Bolander, Brown, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 6:50 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 Harris, seconded by Blake, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Brown, Blake, Harris, Bolander
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM
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