City of Newton City Council met Jan. 19
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: Deputy Clerk Brenda Phillips
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Robert Reisner, Eric Blake and Marlene Harris
Absent: Larry Brooks
Also present: Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Deputy Clerk Brenda Philips
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: Add Emily Myers to #7, add Personnel to #13, and add Police committee 1-18-21 to #10.
Motion was made by Marlene Harris, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adopt the amended/proposed agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of January 5, 2021:
Motion was made by Robert Reisner seconded by Marlene Harris, to approve the minutes of the January 5, 2021 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Alderman Harris reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $201,582.21 and the bills and accounts payable earlier today and make a motion to approve the pre-paids and authorize payment of the bills and accounts payable in the amount of $191,925.61. Robert Reisner seconded the motion.
Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS:
Note: The following statements are paraphrased. They are not direct quotes. Andre Leachman:
• During the 6 weeks that the Christmas light display lit up Peterson Park, 2,432 cars came through to see them. From the proceeds, we were able to make donations to the Jasper County Ministerial Association and Masters Hands.
• We already have verbal and monetary commitments for the 2021 season which will have a November 1, 2021 deadline for any new exhibits that people want to donate. This will allow time to organize and plan the placement of the lights.
• We are also talking about potential display growth, additional nights the lights can be lit, ways to improve access to electricity, and ideas to reduce the risk of vandalism and theft. As always many volunteers are needed to help set up, be at the park on the nights the lights are illuminated, tear down, and store the displays.
• Neighboring communities have taken notice and are contacting us wanting to know how they can get something similar started in their hometowns.
Emily Myers:
• The Girl Scouts are selling cookies. Be on the lookout for 8-1/2 x 11 flyers at local businesses signifying they are supporting the local scout troops.
• This year the Girl Scouts are also having a Cookie Hunt to promote the cookie sales. They are hiding a golden cookie medallion somewhere in Jasper County and providing clues to help people find the secret hiding spot. Once found, scouts and the public at large, can take a selfie and register for a drawing.
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on authorizing the purchase of Lexipol Policy program for the Newton Police Department.
Motion was made by David Brown, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the purchase of Lexipol Policy program for the Newton Police Department with the initial cost of $5550.00 and an annual maintenance fee of $5740.00.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Reisner
Nays: None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on advertising for Dues and Donations applications to distribute $5500 budgeted fund with application deadline of March 19, 2021 at 5:00 PM.
Motion was made by Eric Blake, seconded by Marlene Harris, to approve advertising for Dues and Donations applications to distribute up to the $5500 budgeted fund with application deadline of March 19, 2021 at 5:00 PM.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Reisner, Blake
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on 505 W. Washington St., owner Ryan Jennings, TIF application. Motion was made by Robert Reisner, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the TIF reimbursement of $2,500.00 for 505 W. Washington St., owner Ryan Jennings’ TIF application.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
c. Consider and act on TIF application for Agri-Tek Enterprise LLC/Agri-Systems Solutions. Motion was made by Marlene Harris, seconded by David Brown, to authorize the TIF reimbursement of $2,500.00 for 8775 N. St., HWY 130, the owner Agri-Tek Enterprise LLC/Agri-Systems Solutions’ TIF application.
Ayes: Brown, Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Police committee 1- 18-21, Dues and Donation 1-19-2021 and Finance 1-19-21
Brown—Police 1-18-2021:
• The purchase of the Lexipol Policy Program was discussed at length.
• Mike also discussed the roof/renovation. Mike stated that regardless of the overall project, the roof needs done. The Committee agreed to repairing/replacing roof ASAP.
• Mike discussed his 2022 retirement. Stated that an additional officer in the PD would need in the near future.
• The updating of security cameras was discussed. Meeting adjourned at 6:04 PM Harris—Finance 1-19-21:
• Discussed TIF application for Ryan Jennings, ARG Ideas LLC with a total cost of $9.380 They ask for $2,500 reimbursement.
• Discussed TIF application for Tyler Kerner, Agri-Tek Enterprise LLC/Agri-Systems Solutions, with a total cost of $176,150.50. They ask for $2,500 reimbursement. Adjourned 5:37 PM Blake--Dues and Donation 1-19-2021:
• Discuss the 2021 applications for Dues and Donations. Due Date for applications is March 19, 2021 at 5:00 PM. The budgeted maximum that can be distributed is $5,500. Meeting adjourned at 5:53 PM.
11. STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Glumac: We are working on a date to interview candidates for the Electric Department apprentice lineman position.
Brown: None
Reisner: None
Blake: Presented the Animal Control report.
Harris: Presented the Transaction Allocation Billing Adjustments and Payment Adjustments reports.
City Attorney: None
City Treasurer: None
City Clerk: Water Department PO #6502 Shared cost between Water & Wastewater Motion was made by Robert Reisner, seconded by Marlene Harris, to authorize Water Department purchase order #6502 for $2,900.00 for a Wacker 4” gas trash pump.
Ayes: Reisner, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
Mayor:
• We have new businesses coming to Newton. They are bringing more jobs to town, supplying services that our area will utilize, and improving the curb appeal on the south edge of town, at 505 W Washington and on Jourdan Street.
• Robinson Title Company has a new location on E Jourdan.
• Several new construction sites are moving along: Sarah Bush Clinic, Senior Living Facility and The First National Bank of Olney.
• West End Reception & Events is up and running. They have already had several events and are booking future events. Things are going well for them.
• We welcome anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit to come talk to us. We want to help those looking to start businesses and provide services any way we can. They could qualify for TIF money or assistance through the Enterprise Zone. We want to work with people to maximize the assistance they qualify for.
• The unemployment rate in October 2020 was 3%.
• The hand sanitizer totes need to be moved out of the Fire Department annex building. Approximately 250 gallons of hand sanitizer needs distributed. The empty totes need returned to JJ Outlet.
12. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: February 2, 2021 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: None
13. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate and personnel Motion was made by Marlene Harris, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate, purchase of real estate and personnel pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Reisner
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:47 PM
Motion was made by Marlene Harris seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Reisner, Blake
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:12 PM.
Mayor Bolander announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate, purchase of real estate and personnel.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by David Brown, seconded by Robert Reisner, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Reisner, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:13 PM.
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