City of Newton City Council met June 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl
In the absence of Mayor Kuhl, Attorney Heap called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman RJ Lindemann.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman RJ Lindemann.
3. ROLL CALL: Amy Tarr, Deputy City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, David Brown, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann and Marlene Harris. Eric Blake arrived at 6:02 PM.
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Deputy Clerk Amy Tarr
Attorney Heap called for a motion to appoint Alderman Larry Brooks as Mayor Pro Tem for the June 7, 2022 meeting.
A motion was made by Marlene Harris, seconded by RJ Lindemann to appoint Larry Brooks as Mayor Pro Tem for this meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Harris
Nays:
Abstain: Brooks
Eric Blake arrived at 6:02 PM.
4. AMEND AGENDA:
Add Eagle Trail River Walk, Chris Correll and Tim Dasenbrock to #6. Remove Mike Swick from #6.
Motion was made by Marlene Harris, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to adopt the amended agenda.
Ayes: Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES of May 17, 2022. Motion was made by David Brown, seconded by Marlene Harris, to approve the minutes of the May 17, 2022, of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Brown
Nays: None
Abstain: Glumac
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS:
Mike Swick is being recognized Tuesday, June 7 at the Newton City Council Meeting.
Mayoral Proclamations for community sports teams:
Mayor Pro Tem Brooks recognized the following local sports teams and individuals for their recent athletic accomplishments:
NCHS Boys 4 x 400 M Relay Team (Evan Schafer, Ben Meinhart, Owen Mahaffey and Parker Wolf) as 2022 IHSA Class 1A State Champions NCHS Boys Track Team as 2022 Sectional Champions
NCHS Girls Softball Team as 2022 Regional Champions
Ben Street as State Tennis Tournament Qualifier
JCJH 8th Grade Boys Track Team as 2022 Class 3A Sectional Champions St Thomas 7th & 8th Grade Girls Track and Field Team as 2022 IESA Class 1A Sectional Champions
Eagle Trail Riverwalk:
Michael Tappendorf – Milano & Grunloh Engineering presented an alternative path for the Riverwalk Trail that would veer away from the Embarras River bank at the boat launch and go through the Riverside Cemetery. This option is estimated at $720,000 and would allow for a single construction season. The State of Illinois was not in favor of some of the wall scenarios that were previously discussed.
This new information will be taken to a committee meeting.
Liquor License Renewal Fee:
Tim Dasenbrock -- Illinois Licensed Beverage Association, Hospitality Industry Representative for Area 51 spoke on behalf of several Newton establishments and requested that the City completely forgive or reduce the liquor license fees to mirror what the County charges. He also stated that the City and County are saturated with liquor licenses. Local establishments are still feeling the sting of reduced numbers that started when COVID hit. As a group they are asking the Liquor Commissioner to keep this in mind when determining the renewal fees for those inside City limits.
Chris Correll, American Legion, said he has tried to call the Mayor several times about this concern.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Glumac-Electric Committee Meeting Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at 6:00 PM:
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Discuss Occupancy Permit requirements.
For safety reasons and to ensure that contractors complete all work within code, the City Council discussed the possibility of an occupancy permit requirement for residential, commercial and renovation projects. To enforce this requirement, the City would have to adopt an ordinance that would make an occupancy permit mandatory.
The Council decided this topic needs further discussion in a committee meeting.
b. Discuss liquor license renewal fees.
The Council heard comments from local establishments in Public Comments. The Liquor Commissioner was not present; no additional discussion was had.
c. Consider and act on 2022 bids for annual MFT Street Maintenance Program. (Bid letting was June 7, 2022, at 10:00 AM in City Hall.).
MFT fund awarded Bids:
Motion was made by Marlene Harris, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to award the bid for Bit. Material Seal Coat AC-5 to Lee Kintner & Sons, Inc in the amount of $48,409.67 for 2022 Annual MFT Street Maintenance Program.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann
Nays: None
Motion was made by Marlene Harris, seconded by David Brown, to award the bid for CA-16 to 3 Sisters Logistics in the amount of $10,015.60 for 2022 Annual MFT Street Maintenance Program.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
Motion was made by Marlene Harris, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to award the bid for CA-6 to Heuerman Bros. in the amount of $1900.00 for 2022 Annual MFT Street Maintenance Program.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Motion was made by Marlene Harris, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to award the bid for Salt to Compass Minerals in the amount of $7812.00 for 2022 Annual MFT Street Maintenance Program.
Ayes: Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
d. Consider and act on accepting the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Newton and the Laborers' International Union of North America, the Southern and Central Illinois Laborers' District Council and Laborers' Local 1197.
Motion was made by Eric Blake, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to accept and authorize the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Newton and the Laborers' International Union of North America, the Southern and Central Illinois Laborers' District Council and Laborers' Local 1197.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: Lindemann
e. Consider and act on authorizing South-Central Regional Planning Commission to make grant application on behalf of the City for improvements to water mains on Morgan Street (First Ave to Scott Ave) and Washington Street (West End Ave to Jackson Str).
Motion was made by David Brown, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize South-Central Regional Planning Commission to make grant application on behalf of the City for improvements to water mains on Morgan Street (First Ave to Scott Ave) and Washington Street (West End Ave to Jackson Str).
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann
Nays: None
f. Consider and act on authorizing Connor & Connor, Inc to secure all permits necessary for improvements proposed in grant application on Morgan Street (First Ave to Scott Ave) and Washington Street (West End Ave to Jackson Str). Motion was made by Marlene Harris, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize Connor & Connor, Inc to secure all permits necessary for improvements proposed in grant application on Morgan Street (First Ave to Scott Ave) and Washington Street (West End Ave to Jackson Str).
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
g. Consider and act on authorizing Connor & Connor, Inc to secure all permits necessary to repair the leak and do improvements proposed on Walnut Street and Decatur Street.
Motion was made by Marlene Harris, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize Connor & Connor, Inc to secure all permits necessary to repair the leak and do improvements proposed on Walnut Street and Decatur Street.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Consider and act on The City of Newton joining the IMUA (Illinois Municipal Utilities Association).
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Marlene Harris, to authorize the City of Newton joining the IMUA (Illinois Municipal Utilities Association) for a fee of $2,920.41.
Ayes: Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
b. Consider and act on 22-11 City Ordinance - Amend Chapter 21 Article II liquor license Class B.
Motion was made by Eric Blake, seconded by Marlene Harris, to pass 22- 11 City Ordinance - Amend Chapter 21 Article II liquor license Class B.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
10.STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Harris: None
Blake: Congratulations to the utility employees for reaching a contract. Thank you for all you do for the City.
Lindemann: None
Brown: Newton and Jasper County youth continue to impress me and make the community proud with their athletic abilities and dedication. Our kids have had a lot of success in many sports. Kudos to all the teams!
Glumac: Mimic Eric and David’s comments. Thank you to the employees and Congratulations to all the athletes.
City Attorney: The second publication on the ordinance to purchase the property from the Indiana Railroad has run. June 16, 2022 is the date when the contract to purchase will become effective. I’ve been in contact with the attorney for the railroad, and they’re moving forward with their preparations, survey and things of that nature. City Treasurer: None
Mayor Pro Tem Brooks: None
11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: None
12.EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation and potential litigation
Motion was made by Marlene Harris, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss litigation and potential litigation pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 7:05 PM.
Motion was made by David Brown, seconded by Marlene Harris, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Brown, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:25 PM.
Mayor Pro Tem Brooks announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation and potential litigation.
Treasurer Melissa Brooks mentioned to the Council that Department Heads have questioned when appointments were going to be made and if their benefits would mirror the recently passed Union contract. Eric Blake said this would need to be discussed in a Personnel Committee meeting.
13.ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.
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