East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met April 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor

Mayor Joshua J. Kuhl called the meeting to order.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Larry Brooks.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Larry Brooks.

3. ROLL CALL: Rosetta York, City Clerk

Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and Marlene Harris

Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks and Clerk Rosetta York

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: #11 correct the date to April 18, 2023

Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Harris, to adopt the amended agenda.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Harris

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES of March 21, 2023.

Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Wright, to approve the minutes of the March 21, 2023 of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac

Nays: None

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: Kenneth and Elisabeth Belcher The Belchers were asking why the $40,000 budgeted last year for citizens to tear down a house or building could be added to this 2023-24 fiscal year budgeted amount. Since the application terms were not developed and made available to the public. (Note: I (Rosie York) may not fully understand the Council’s and Mayor’s response.) There are City Code and Illinois State Statues which does not allow it.

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

Brooks: City of Newton Water/Wastewater Meeting

March 27, 2023

Attendees: Larry Brooks, Brent Benefiel, Tyler Weber, Joshua Kuhl, Rosetta M. York, Gayle Glumac, Eric Blake, Marlene Harris, Amy Tarr, Kaleb Wright, R.J. Lindemann, Brenda Phillips and Melissa Brooks

Called to order at 6:00 pm

Water

Discussed a 5-year plan: First year in-house water line, second year possible heater for the pump room, third year Washington and Morgan Streets water projects, fourth year new vacuum truck for water and sewer.

Discussed rate structure change or water rate increase. Tyler will do more research on rates. Discussed possible 2% water rate increase. Will discuss more later.

Discussed increasing revenue without increasing the rate across all water costumers. Discussed new phone system.

Wastewater

The Second St. lift station back-up generator is almost ready for service,

Discussed a big increase in ground water to sewer system. Some of the problem is from Metro lines being put in.

Discussed problem at sewer plant. Didn’t get paper work in time for grant. May try to do project in house, will have approximate cost on project later.

Meeting adjourned at 7:12 PM

Larry Brooks, Chairman

8. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Discuss Water Rates (25 minutes)

From May 2022 to February 2023 the Water Department had 4 months where they operated at a loss. The Mayor and Council discussed ways to increase revenue, but nothing was decided. Department Head Tyler Weber was asked to gather more info to present to the council.

B. Discuss Application for Demolition Reimbursement. (16 minutes)

Lindemann presented the first draft copy of the application to demo dilapidated properties. After reviewing the draft, multiple changes and recommendations were state. Lindemann will rewrite the application and bring it back to the Council. C. Consider and act on Clark Bigard’s letter of resignation.

Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris, to authorize Clark Bigard’s letter of resignation, effective March 17, 2023.

Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

9. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on 3 employees and 1 alderwoman to attend annual IMEA Conference and Trade Show in Springfield, IL on May 11-12 requiring 1 hotel room at $119/night + allowable expenses. (The other attendees will drive up for 1 day only and will not require a hotel room.) Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Harris, to authorize 3 employees and 1 alderwoman to attend annual IMEA Conference and Trade Show in Springfield, IL on May 11-12 requiring 1 hotel room at $119/night + allowable expenses. (The other attendees will drive up for 1 day only and will not require a hotel room.)

Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Wright, Brooks

Nays: None

Abstain: Glumac

B. Consider and act on two Newton Police Department employees to attend the IJOA & IDOA 2023 Annual State Conference Continued Professional Training on June 13-16 with fees of $425/2 officers plus allowable expenses. (IJOA is Illinois Juvenile Officer's Association. IDOA is Illinois D.A.R.E. Officer’s Association.)

Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, authorize two Newton Police Department employees to attend the IJOA & IDOA 2023 Annual State Conference Continued Professional Training on June 13-16 with fees of $425/2 officers plus allowable expenses. (IJOA is Illinois Juvenile Officer's Association. IDOA is Illinois D.A.R.E. Officer’s Association.)

Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann

Nays: None

10. STATEMENTS:

Council Members:

Glumac: “I appreciate the guys cutting down the trees and getting all that taken care of before the storm, We were very blessed that Newton wasn't hit like our surrounding cities and prayers for them.”

Wright: No Comment

Brooks: No Comment

Lindemann: “I hope everyone voted. If you didn't, I encourage you to do it next time. It's great that we live in a country where we can.”

“I had a fine man, James Cisney, a great employee of TPS and a great citizen of this community in Ward three. He has a complaint about his neighbor, and he didn't want to come today, but he asked that I represent him and he would like his neighbor to clean their property. He's looking to sell his home at some time in the near future, and he believes they are lowering his property value. The property is 303 Liberty Street. They have been a nuisance. He's called the police department and no action has been taken. He would very much like that to be resolved. It's really bad.”

“The police had cited them, I believe, and they started building a pallet fencing to hide the stuff. And it's bad.”

Blake: No Comment

Harris: No Comment

City Attorney: No Comment

City Treasurer: Is the community garden going to be done this year? The mayor said yes it was in the Park Department’s budget, ask Brad to confirm this.

City Clerk: Statement of economic interests will be handed out at the next meeting. The Codebooks have a few more corrections to insert. Please bring them to City Hall again.

Mayor:

• My thoughts and prayers to people in the surrounding communities property damage and their loss of life in last Friday’s storm.

• Their community’s and their neighboring communities’ emergency responders spent all evening Friday, most of Saturday over there.

• Thanks to the city employees called out Friday evening. I do appreciate you and your crews.

• Wednesday, Myself, Melissa, all the department heads and their committee chairmen had budget meetings. The department heads truly know their numbers and their future projects to budget. With these conversations a lot is learned, and I appreciate you guys.

• I will say thank you again to Melissa and your group for the time you have taken over the last 60 days involving budgets. at the next council meeting, the budget will be presented for a vote.

11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 6:00 PM

That same evening at 5:30 p.m. will be the Energy Transition Grant Stakeholders meeting here previous to the council meeting.

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: None

12. ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.

Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Harris

Nays:

Meeting adjourned at 7:12 PM.