City of Newton City Council met Jan. 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 Gayle Glumac.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Gayle Glumac.
3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Robert Reisner, Eric Blake and Marlene Harris
Absent: Larry Brooks
Also present: Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: Add to #6 Doug Oliver, David Webster, Roger Bass, Alan Rauch and Susan Lindley and Delete #8C
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Glumac, to adopt the amended agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of December 15, 2020
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Harris, to approve the minutes of the December 15, 2020 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: Doug Oliver, Dave Webster, Roger Bass, Alan Rauch and Susan Lindley.
Note City Clerk York: The following statements are a paraphrase. These are NOT quotes.
Alan Rauch: Where is the ground that the City is proposing to purchase? What is the City planning to do with the property? How will it be zoned? Are the homes in the Bella Vista Estates going to be annexed into the City? We do not want to be annexed into the City. David Webster: I do not want to live in the City of Newton. I do not want to be annexed into the City of Newton.
Roger Bass: Does the City have plans for the 20 acres on the north side of the Industrial Park? How much ground is left at the Industrial Park?
If Tony Griffith received Five Aprils Crossing Lot 21 for $1, why did the City buy it back for $5000?
Susan Lindley: Why did the City pay Tony Griffith’s estate $5000 to buy back a lot in Five Aprils Crossing when he didn’t build a house within a year of purchasing the lot? Why didn’t I receive my $1000 (earnest money) back.
Jane Diel: I do not want anything that is going to be an eyesore in my view. That is why we moved down here from Champaign.
Mark Bolander: The City does not have a definitive use for the property at this time. We are purchasing it for economic development. The City needs to own real estate, so when someone approaches us wanting to start a business or grow their business, we have a place for them to build. One of the City’s goals is to create more jobs, good paying jobs. We cannot wait to purchase ground after we are approached. We have lost some new businesses starting in Newton because we didn’t have a place for them to land. We have to have ground available to grow.
The City does not have control of the Industrial Park. It is currently controlled by JJI. If the Renewable Fuels project takes off, they want all the land in the Industrial Park and 20 acres north of biofuel plant.
City Clerk Rosie York will research the purchase price of Lot 21 in Five Aprils Crossing and report back to Roger Bass.
Susan Lindley was referred to William Heap.
7. OLD BUSINESS: None
8. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on the Agreement to Purchase 4 tracts (parcels) approximately 62 acres, from the Estate of Anthony F. Griffith for $500,000.00 plus applicable closing costs contingent on financing.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Harris, to authorize the Agreement to Purchase 4 tracts (parcels) approximately 62 acres, from the Estate of Anthony F. Griffith for $500,000.00 plus applicable closing costs contingent on financing.
Ayes: Reisner, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: Blake
B. Consider and act on Robinson Title Company TIF application.
Motion was made by Reisner, seconded by Glumac, to authorize reimbursement of $2,500 for Robinson Title Company TIF application.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Reisner
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on purchasing a Newton Police vehicle.
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Volk--- JEDI 1-5-21:
Jasper County Economic Development, INC.
Annual Business Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
1. Annual Election of JEDI Officers and Board Members 2021
Brett Lessley has stepped down from Treasurer.
• Motion to appoint Frank Dhom to JEDI Treasurer made by Amber Volk, second by Mark Bolander, motion passed.
Ed Webb has stepped down from Board of Directors.
• Motion to appoint Mindy Hartke to JEDI Board of Directors made by Mark Bolander, second by Andy Johnson, motion passed.
JEDI Officers
Scott Bierman, Chairman
Jason Warfel, Vice Chairman
Mark Bolander, Secretary
Frank Dhom, Treasurer
JEDI Executive Director
Amber Volk
JEDI Marketing Director
Amber Wakefield
JEDI Board of Directors: Amber Volk, Frank Dhom, Mindy Hartke, Louis Ochs, Scott Bierman, Larry Brooks, City of Newton, Mark Bolander, City of Newton, Marlene Harris, City of Newton, Jack Thompson, Ste. Marie, Jason Warfel, Jasper County Board, Doug Weddell, Jasper County Board, Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board, Ben Bollman, Jasper County Board, Sarah Kinkade, Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, Andrew Johnson, Unit #1 Superintendent, Beth Probst, NCHS Principal and 2 NCHS Student Representatives not chosen at this time.
2. Annual Budget Approval: Brett Lessley talked about JEDI’s budget and standing.
a. Motion to approve annual budget made by Doug Weddell, second by Jason Warfel, motion passed.
3. Annual JEDI Celebration: February 2, 2021 @ 10:30am via Zoom. Bill Teichmiller CEO of EJ Water Cooperative will be the presenter.
a. Send nominations for Economic Person/Business of the Year to Scott Bierman or Ed Webb.
b. Please have multiple people join you for the Zoom meeting or be sure to join even if you don’t normally. This will be a great presentation!
4. Monthly Updates
a. Amber Volk, Executive Director
i. The State Grant for the purchase of land ended up falling through.
ii. Senior Living Complex will be implementing the Enterprise Zone.
iii. Website traffic has increased due to Job Listings. Be sure to list yours.
b. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton
i. Lots of activity around town.
ii. Thank you to the Leachmans and Huddlestons for the lights. Did have some vandalism we are still investigating.
c. Jason Warfel, Jasper County Board Chairman
i. Next Board meeting is January 14, 2021.
ii. Jail project is still moving forward.
iii. We are now down to 6 committees from the original 14.
iv. JEDI needs to look to recruit new members and have current members become more involved.
d. Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1.
i. Students will return January 6th.
ii. Will be requesting a special use permit for the Sunrise Center.
iii. Board will be discussing a referendum question on the April Election Ballot
1. Will be providing factual information on social media.
e. Sarah Kinkade, Chamber of Commerce Director
i. Shop local took place this past December and received $105,000 in receipts.
ii. The one night event went well.
iii. 2021 events are currently up in the air.
iv. Working on a 618 Tour: Involving local bars. Will have t-shirts and posters.
f. Amber Wakefield, Marketing Director
i. No new updates. Very excited about 2021.
ii. Next month I will have an update on the Marketing Fund.
iii. Will plan on having a Marketing Committee meeting 15 mins before the 10:30am JEDI Celebration.
5. Comments from those attending the meeting.
a. Doug Weddell: The Event Center is having problems with internet service. Have talked with multiple providers. It will cost $4,000 to bring internet to the building plus the monthly fee. How is there not better broadband on the west side of town?
i. The JEDI Executive board will be meeting with different internet providers and teaming up with Jasper Together to bring awareness or gather information/signatures from interested individuals in the community who would implement fiber if given the opportunity.
Brown—Police Committee 1-4-21:
• Mike discussed the Lexipol Policy purchase. This would take the PD’s policies and adjust accordingly when Illinois State policy changes. Casey PD is currently using it. Mike has been looking at this for a few years. Program is approximately $10K and annual maintenance would be around $3,500.
• Both spare squad cars are in bad shape. Looking for a newer, more reliable used vehicle. Little equipment would need to be purchased.
• Mike is looking into hiring another part-time officer.
• Surveillance cameras were discussed.
• Meeting adjourned at 6:18 PM
Harris—Finance Committee 1-5-21:
• Discussed TIF application for Robinson Title Company with a total cost of $5,775.50 They ask for $2,500 reimbursement for improving siding, sign and shutters.
• Discussed if employee is diagnosed with Corona virus or quarantined as of January 1, 2021, they will have to use their benefit hours. The gubernatorial “Cares Act” has expired.
• Adjourned 5:37 PM
10. STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Glumac: Happy New Year to everyone.
Brown: I want citizens to know why I support the purchase of the Griffith property. I still have concerns that Mr. Jayne’s business was not able to go into the Southtown Industrial Park. The City of Newton does not own the Southtown Industrial Park. Citizens have approached me thinking that the City owns the Industrial Park.
Reisner: No Comment
Blake: No Comment
Harris: Happy New Year to everyone. The Christmas lights were pretty.
City Treasurer: No Comment
City Clerk: No Comment
Mayor: The Christmas lights and displays at the Park and the Old River Bridge were great and I am looking forward to them next year.
11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Dues & Donations January 19, 2021 at 5:45 PM
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate and purchase of real estate
Motion was made by Glumac, 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: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Reisner, Blake
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:56 PM
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Harris, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:18 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 Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Brown, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:23 PM.
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