City of Newton City Council met Feb. 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Public Hearing to Vacate an alley between the two Fire District’s buildings on First St., Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 5:45 PM
There were no comments, questions or objections to the vacation of the alley.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
Mayor Joshua J. Kuhl called the meeting to order.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Eric Blake.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Eric Blake.
3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta York, City Clerk
Physically present: Kaleb Wright, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and Marlene Harris Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York Absent: Larry Brooks, Gayle Glumac and Eric Blake left at 6:07 PM
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: #6 add Cindy Rife, #8F change Mowing to Lawn Service and #11 add Electric Committee Meeting Monday, February 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Harris, to adopt the amended agenda. Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES of January 17, 2023.
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Wright, to approve the minutes of the January 17, 2023 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Lindemann, Harris, Wright
Nays: None
Abstain: Blake
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: Andre Leachman, Kenneth and Elisabeth Belcher, Cindy Rife
Andre Leachman: Thanked all the volunteers that helped construct and dismantle the Christmas displays in Peterson Park. He especially thanked the City Electric Department. The displays had several improvements this year, but there were improvements he would like to do for next year.
Donna Coad presented the finances for the Christmas Display:
Balance from 2021 of $3,811.40.
2022 Business and individual donations of $2,187.50
2022 People driving through the City Park donations of $6,831.39
(NOTE: We did a sponsor night for Lucas Shadle which was $1,818.38. That was the highest daily donations we have ever received.)
Total balance for 2022 was $12,830.29
2022 expenses were $9,747.65
Remaining balance of $3,082.64
Kenneth and Elisabeth Belcher: They were inquiring about a program that was budgeted. It is for citizens to apply for funds to demolish buildings that are beyond repair. The Mayor asked Alterman Lindemann to write or find an application.
Cindy Rife: The digital speed signs have helped, but there are still problems. She wanted to know if there had been any tickets issued. Chief Britton said he would have to check. She also commented on roadkill not being removed in a timely fashion.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: Finance/Audit Committee on TUESDAY, February 7, 2023 AT 5:30 PM
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes February 7, 2023
5:30 PM - 5:49 PM
Present: RJ Lindemann, Melissa Brooks, Josh Kuhl, Marlene Harris, Kaleb Wright, Tyler Weber, Riley Britton, Elisabeth Belcher, Kenneth Belcher, Eric Blake and Rosetta York
Meeting was called to order at 5:30pm
• A revision to the Belcher's TIF application on Washington Street was discussed
• The city's postage meter from Pitney Bowes is becoming obsolete. It was recommended a new one be purchased, splitting the cost evenly four ways between the utility departments and general administration
• Cobra rates were presented and discussed
• A new server will be needed in order to complete a meter reading upgrade put in place last year. It will be attempted to fit this into the coming fiscal year, though it may need to wait.
• Meeting adjourned at 5:49pm
8. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on 23-XX Ordinance Approving The 2022 Amendment to the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Redevelopment Plan and Project for Redevelopment Project Area No. 1. The purpose of tabling the ordinance is to extend the deadline.
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Harris, to table 23-XX Ordinance Approving The 2022 Amendment to the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Redevelopment Plan and Project for Redevelopment Project Area No. 1 to be voted on at the June 6, 2023 City Council Meeting.
Ayes: Harris, Kuhl, Lindemann, Wright
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on 23-02 An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Real Estate, Lot number 12 in Five Aprils Crossing subdivision.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Lindemann, pass 23-02 An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Real Estate, Lot number 12 in Five Aprils Crossing subdivision.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Harris, Kuhl
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing Cobra/IMRF’s continuation of rates effective March 1, 2023 to February 28, 2024.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Lindemann, authorizing Cobra/IMRF’s continuation of rates effective March 1, 2023 to February 28, 2024.
Ayes: Lindemann, Harris, Kuhl, Wright
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on Charles Painter’s retirement letter effective February 15, 2023.
Motion was made by Wright, seconded by Harris, authorizing Charles Painter’s retirement letter effective February 15, 2023.
Ayes: Harris, Kuhl, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
E. Consider and act on Adjustment to Elisabeth and Kenneth Belcher’s TIF application project #119.
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Wright, authorizing Adjustment to Elisabeth and Kenneth Belcher’s TIF application project #119. (The scope of the project changed but the reimbursement amount did not.)
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Kuhl
Nays: None
Abstain: Harris
F. Consider and act on the mowing agreement with Backwoods Mowing Lawn Service. Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Wright, authorizing the mowing agreement with Backwoods Lawn Service.
Ayes: Lindemann, Harris, Kuhl, Wright
Nays: None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on purchasing or leasing new postage meter from Pitney Bowes. (This can be on the next year’s budget.)
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Wright, authorizing the purchase of a new postage meter from Pitney Bowes.
Ayes: Harris, Kuhl, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on Resolution 23-02 for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code. Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Lindemann, pass Resolution 23-02 for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Harris, Kuhl
Nays: None
10. STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Wright: No Comment
Lindemann: No Comment
Harris: No Comment
City Attorney: No Comment
City Treasurer: No Comment
City Clerk: Codebook and Closed session Resolutions on next meeting agenda. Water PO #6532
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Lindemann, to authorize Water Department purchase order # 6532 to McCoy Heating and Air Conditioning for $2,968.44.
Ayes: Lindemann, Harris, Kuhl, Wright
Nays: None
Wastewater PO #8
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Harris, to authorize Wastewater Department purchase order # 8 to Vandevanter Engineering for 4” submersible pump for $14,177.68
Ayes: Harris, Kuhl, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
Police PO # 2023-1
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Wright, to authorize Police Department purchase order # 2023 to Digital Ally for DVM-800 complete kit, V2 for $4,055.00.
Ayes: Kuhl, Wright, Lindemann, Harris
Nays: None
Mayor:
• The Park Department posted they are accepting applications for the summer employment for the aquatic center, the batting cages and the miniature golf for the 2023 season. Interested persons can apply for employment with the city of Newton. The application should be returned by April 14, 2023.
• I want to also thank our city employees which Andre mentioned. Thirty days of Christmas lights display with 1600 vehicles and the amount of dollars donated was a success.
• Keep Gayle in prayers. Her Dad is having surgery today.
• Thank you for the condolences my stepfather last week. I appreciated them.
11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Electric Committee Meeting Monday, February 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Sale of real estate
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Harris, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss sale of real estate pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Harris, Kuhl
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:48 PM.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Lindemann, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Lindemann, Harris, Kuhl, Wright
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:04 PM.
Josh Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed sale of real estate.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Harris, to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: Harris, Kuhl, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:05 PM.
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