City of Newton City Council met Jan. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
Mayor Kuhl called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
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 M. York, City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, RJ Lindemann and Marlene Harris Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks, and Clerk Rosetta M. York
Absent: Larry Brooks and Eric Blake
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: Add Joshua J. Kuhl to Public Comment to read Dr. Adam Wolf’s email
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to adopt the amended agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of January 4, 2022:
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Harris, to approve the minutes of the January 4, 2022 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Lindemann, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $132,239.14 and the bills and accounts payable earlier today and made a motion to approve the pre-paids and authorize payment of the bills and accounts payable in the amount of $106,537.88. Glumac seconded the motion.
Ayes: Lindemann, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: Joshua J. Kuhl to Public Comment to read Dr. Adam Wolf’s email:
From: Brooke Wolf
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 3:58 PM
To: jkuhl
Subject: Wolf Eye Care
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
As you are aware, Wolf Eye Care is relocating to the corner of Washington Street and First Avenue. We have been in our current location, 301 S. Jackson Street, since June of 2012. We are proud to have grown up in Jasper County and to call Newton our home. As a result, we are invested in this community and want to see it grow and prosper. We have recently started construction on our new building, and were just made aware that there is not a main water line on First Avenue on the west side of our property. We saw that it was proposed to put in a water line on First Avenue, and it was voted down. The cost for us to tap into the existing main water line located under the brick road on Washington Street will be approximately $10,000. We feel that this a bit extreme to have an existing business in town be responsible to cover this total cost. We understand that we would have a cost to tap into the main water line and are completely fine with that. We are proposing that we cover the cost to tap into the main water line as if we would be tapping into First Avenue, and the city would cover the remaining cost to fix the brick road according to the city's ordinance. We are located in the TIF district and it is our understanding that the TIF money is there to be used to improve infrastructure.
We are unable to attend tonight's city council meeting. Our goal is to attend the next city council meeting to voice our displeasure over the council's decision to not install a main water line along First Avenue, which is located in a TIF district, and to address what has been mentioned above.
Thanks for your time,
Adam and Brooke Wolf
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: (Blake) Mayor Kuhl-- Personnel Committee minutes: The committee went in to Executive Session to discuss personnel. The committee came out of Executive Session and adjourned the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM. Eric Blake Chairman (He was not present.). The Mayor conducted the meeting.
(Brooks) Harris -- Water and Wastewater Committee minutes:
• Tyler presented quotes for repairing and replacing the water salesman. To repair it would cost $7465 and to replace and move it would cost $8085. This move does not include the electrical work that may have to be hired out to hook up, and meter and pipe that is already in house.
• Stated that the old meter blew apart, the coin mechanism has not been working right and needs repaired. The new meter would be put outside the fence at the water plant, and a camera could be put on it. A PO will be presented at tomorrow’s council meeting for the expense of repair or replacement depending on the discussion following these minuets.
• Tyler also stated that the pump and the column on well #7 were being replaced. During the cleaning of the well it was detected that they were full of iron deposits, and in bad shape. It was cheaper to do this while the well was already apart. .It was also stated that the water plant went down over Christmas. It was suggested that a computer backup to be purchased at the cost of $1600, because there is no backup at the present time.
• Brent at sewer department stated the new building may be starting at any time. Some parts have been delivered.
• Adjourned at 6:12
9. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on hiring a part-time Deputy Collector
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Glumac, hiring Maggie MacDonald for the part-time Deputy Collector beginning February 1, 2022.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on Ordinance 22-01 To Amend the Zoning Map of the Zoning Code to the City of Newton, Jasper County, Illinois. (Location is 8526 N St Hwy 130)
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brown, to pass Ordinance 22-01 To Amend the Zoning Map of the Zoning Code to the City of Newton, Jasper County, Illinois. (Location is 8526 N St Hwy 130)
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Harris
Nays: None
c. Consider and act on Ordinance 22-02 To Amend the Zoning Map of the Zoning Code to the City of Newton, Jasper County, Illinois. (301 S. Jackson) Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Glumac, to pass Ordinance 22-02 To Amend the Zoning Map of the Zoning Code to the City of Newton, Jasper County, Illinois. (301 S. Jackson)
Ayes: Brown, Lindemann, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
d. Consider and act on Raymond Reynolds’ letter of retirement.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Harris, to authorize Raymond Reynolds’ letter of retirement, effective January 31, 2022.
Ayes: Lindemann, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
e. Honor Raymond Reynolds
Mayor Kuhl thanked Raymond for his 41 plus years of service.
10. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Discuss a potential community texting service for the City of Newton. (Sarah Kinkade will be there to help explain the plan.)
Sarah and RJ spoke on the SlickText service at https://www.slicktext.com/, which is a service that an organization, company or whatever can send texts to whomever signs up. They think that this service will help with public service announcements. There seems to be information not getting to public.
11. STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: No comment.
Brown: I would like to call a Police and Building Permit Committee Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 6:00 PM.
Lindemann: Explained to the council that he has reviewed and approved the billing adjustment report.
Harris: Congratulation to Raymond on his retirement. I would like to call an Insurance Committee Meeting on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 5:45 PM.
City Attorney: No comment.
City Treasurer: Presented Appropriation Changes:
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Lindemann, to make the two (2) following appropriation changes:
1. In General Fund Police move $1,000 from Contingency Fund (9000-23) to Building Repair (5630-23)
2. In Water move $1,000 from Contingency Fund (9000-40) to Tool Repair (5532-40).
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann
Nays: None
City Clerk: Water Department PO # 6526
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Harris, to authorize Water Department purchase order # 6526 for $8,085.00 to move and repair the bulk water salesman to Utility Technologies, LLC.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Harris
Nays: None
Mayor: Thanks again to Raymond Reynolds his years of service to the City of Newton.
12. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: February 1, 2022 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Police and Building Permit Committee Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 6:00 PM and an Insurance Committee Meeting on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 5:45 PM.
13. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
14. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Brown, Lindemann, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 6:54 PM.
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