City of Newton Finance/Audit Committee met Nov. 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
Mayor Joshua J. Kuhl called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM
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, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and Marlene Harris
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York
Not Present:
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: Delete 8B and 8C.
Motion was made by Brown, seconded by Lindemann, to adopt the amended agenda.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES of October 18, 2022.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Brooks, to approve the minutes of the October 18, 2022 of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Lindemann,
Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS:
Proclamation to the Jasper County Junior High Cross Country Team
Mayor: He read the proclamation.
Liquor License
Tim Dasenbrock asked if the Council had to take action on increasing the number of liquor licenses. (NOTE: He asked this at the last meeting.) Tim called the Clerk’s office today for information on the available liquor licenses. The information found was: Class A there is 1 issued to Circle K; Class B there are 4 issued to West Side Lounge, KC Hall, Marilyn’s, Remedies; Class C there are 2, one issued to Cobblestone and one not issued; Class E there are 6, 4 are issued to Joe’s, Parklanes, Puerto Vallarta, Pizza Man and 2 not issued; Class F there are 4, 3 are issued to VFW, American Legion and Eagles and one not issued; Class G there are 3, issued to Casey’s, Martin’s and AMC Food Mart; Class EEV there are 3, one is issued to West End and 2 are not issued. The City of Newton has 23 liquor licenses. Six (6) of the 23 are not issued at the time of this meeting. There is a Class C license available. The number of licenses available is determined by the City Council. The Liquor Commissioner, which by State of Illinois law is the Mayor, approves and issues the liquor licenses.
The current liquor license business owners are concerned the available disposable income citizens of Newton have for entertainment is not going to increase. Each current establishment will receive less at a time when small businesses are already struggling.
The Mayor did ask Tim to present information supporting his position.
Cindy Rife and Barbara Ross were told the speed limit signs for Martin St. have been ordered.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Lindemann: Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 5:30 PM
Present: Melissa Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Rosie York, Joshua Kuhl, Marlene Harris, David Brown, Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, Tyler Weber, Kenneth Belcher, Elizabeth Belcher and Caleb Wright
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
• The TIF application for 604 South Van Buren Street was opened up for discussion. A recommendation was tabled until a new application was completed.
• The 2022 tax levy was discussed. The treasurer's office believes the city's financial needs will be $694,000. This is the same dollar figure as the previous two years, which will result in a lowering of the city's overall levy rate.
The meeting ended at 5:40 p.m.
8. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Discuss skate park at Dufrain Park.
Brad Benefiel, Park Department, reported the Dufrain Park skate park framework has deteriorated. The panels could not be reattached. Spending the money to repair it and monitor it would be a waste. He recommends tearing it down. Chief Britton reported they get a lot of nuisance calls. Officers have to park and walk to the skate park which alerts the vandals, and they are gone by the time PD gets to the skate park. Alderman Brown, Park Committee Chairman, said the skate park has been a pain for years. There was a consensus of the Council to tear it down and possibly put-up basketball hoops. It will be added to the next council meeting agenda.
B. Consider and act on TIF application for 604 S. Van Buren St.
C. Consider and act on increasing the number of Class C liquor licenses from two to three.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on advertising for a part-time Newton Police officer. Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Lindemann, to advertising for a part-time Newton Police officer.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on two (2) Electric Department employees to attend the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives meter school in Springfield, IL on December 6-8, 2022 with a fee of $525 per attendee plus allowable expenses. Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Harris, to authorize two (2) Electric Department employees to attend the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives meter school in Springfield, IL on December 6-8, 2022 with a fee of $525 per attendee plus allowable expenses.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks
Nays: None
C. 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 2023.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Harris, to authorize 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 2023.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on a $250.00 donation to the 2022 INRD Santa Train for coats, hats and gloves for families in need.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Lindemann, to authorize a $250.00 donation to the 2022 INRD Santa Train for coats, hats and gloves for families in need.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
10.STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Glumac: Thank you to everybody that helped with Scare on the Square. Officer Coker told her there were over 300 kids that attended it. It was great and the weather was perfect.
Brown: No Comments
Brooks: I would like to schedule a Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting Monday, November 7, 2022 at 6:00PM.
RJ Lindemann: No Comments
Blake: I would like to thank the Street Department for their leaf vacuuming service. They are doing a good job.
Harris: The leaf pickup is going pretty well.
The Street Department has had several calls about the holes in the streets the fiber optic contractors have left. There is a settling period for the fill dirt, but some of the holes have settled enough they could be filled.
The Riverwalk grant funds have been pulled by the Federal Government because of the delays. IDOT administers the funds. Most, if not all, of the delays were by the State.
The City recently signed a contract with the State to extend the project until 2024. U.S. Representative Mary Miller is going investigate to see what can be done. City Attorney: The railroad closing occurred last Monday without a hitch. We're now the proud owner of that area.
City Treasurer: The City Treasurer stated the following: “The treasurer’s office has determined that the City would need to levy $694,000 for the tax year 2022. The amount to be levied will not exceed the 2021 tax year levy extended by more than 5%.” City Clerk: Water Department PO # 6531
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Lindemann, to authorize Water Department PO # 6531 to Brooks & Associates Inc. for 2 chemical pumps with cables and piping for $3,200.00.
Ayes: Glumac, Brown, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Mayor Kuhl:
• Last night was Trick or Treat night. It was nice to see all the people in town. • Scare on the Square was a successful event also.
• The Street Department is doing a great job vacuuming the leaves.
Quotes:
“Last thing I'll say is, that for a lot of you that are in attendance this evening and were in attendance at the previous meeting is that it's nice to see that you do value the things that go on in this town and the way that you guys actually group together as businesses.”
“When something important to you, you do show up to voice your concerns and look out for each other. That is one thing that this community has always done really well is look out for one another. You know, if you can get me data that shows what you're discussing. I will look at it. There's nothing set in stone today and no decisions are made. There's no application that's been applied for that license. So, it's not something that you can just give up on this evening as well. But thank you guys for coming in and discussing this.”
11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 6:00 PM SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting Monday, November 7, 2022 at 6:00 PM Street and Alley Committee Meeting Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 6:00 PM Insurance Committee Meeting Thursday, November 10, 2022 after the Street Committee about 6:30 PM
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
13.ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Brown, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Brown, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.
https://nebula.wsimg.com/d6f4605adb9f23117f38fa88fcd17381?AccessKeyId=1E1E639AEF48FED03481&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
Alerts Sign-up