City of Newton City Council met May 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
2. In the absence of Mayor Kuhl, Attorney Heap called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
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: 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
Attorney Heap called for a motion to appoint Alderman Larry Brooks as Mayor Pro Tem for the May 2, 2023 meeting.
A motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Harris to appoint Larry Brooks as Mayor Pro Tem for this meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
Abstain: Brooks
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: #6 add Jeanne Miller, Heather Wakefield and Belchers
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Lindemann, to adopt the amended agenda.
Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES of April 18, 2023.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Wright, to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2023 of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: Jeanne Miller, Heather Wakefield and Belchers
Jeanne Miller (17:04 minutes): She spoke about her property line on their lot in Five Aprils Crossing. She presented a written statement with photos. John Stone from Connor and Connor was present. The mayor said the Council would get back to the Millers.
Mayor Kuhl arrived at 6:15.
At 6:19, Attorney Heap called for a motion to resend the appointment Alderman Larry Brooks as Mayor Pro Tem.
A motion was made by Blake, seconded by Wright to resend the appointment Larry Brooks as Mayor Pro Tem for this meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann
Nays: None
The Belchers, who are building a house on the Lot 12 in Five April Crossing next to the Miller's, reported there were 2 survey pins they could not find on Lot 12. The pins will be reset when they have the lot surveyed.
Heather Wakefield (8:15 minutes) reported grass clipping are being blown on the streets. People are not mowing their lawns. The City of Newton is full of trash. She read a list of streets where there are code violations and offered to read the code to the council. She asked if anyone is doing anything about these violations. Chief Britton said today Newton PD had issued 13 citations on those violations. The Mayor reminded everyone the City-Wide Cleanup will be May 19-20. People can call Newton PD to report violations and file a complaint.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
Lindemann: Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 5:45 PM.
Meeting called to order at 5:44 pm
Discussed a TIF application for Taylor Kerner. It was recommended to award them $5,000 of the project cost.
Discussed a TIF application for 3B General Contracting. It was recommended to award them $5,000 of the project cost.
Meeting adjourned at 5:49 pm.
R.J. Lindemann, Chairman
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Discuss the draft copy of Demo application for reimbursement funds.
The draft application was reviewed by all and sent to the law office to be put in an ordinance.
b. Discuss Water rates.
Current dollars are calculated using the current tier system
3% increase is all current tiers getting a 3% increase (residential and commercial) using current structure 5% increase is on any user that uses more than 10,000 gallons in a month using current structure Fixed rate with minimum:
-Any user that uses less than 2,000 gallons will be charged the minimum fee of $18.06 per 2,000 gallons.
-Any residential user that uses 2,000 gallons and above will be charged the minimum fee plus $0.00903 per gallon used.
-Any Commercial user that uses 2,000 gallons and above will be charged the minimum fee plus $0.00750 per gallon used.
The Council discussed the rates and decided to vote on 5% raise for the top 3 tiers.
c. Consider and act on a water rate increase
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Wright, to authorize water rate increase of 5% on the 3 top tiers of consumers of water effective May 1, 2023.
Ayes: Harris, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: Blake
d. Consider and act on TIF application for Park Lanes.
Motion was made by Brooks, seconded by Harris, to authorize TIF application for Park Lanes with a reimbursement of $3,087.50.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Harris
Nays: None
e. Consider and act on TIF application for 3B General Contracting LLC.
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Glumac, to authorize TIF application for 3B General Contracting LLC with a reimbursement of $5,000.00.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Glumac
Nays: None
Abstain: Harris
f. Consider and act on TIF application for Taylor Kerner.
Motion was made by Harris, seconded by Glumac, to authorize TIF application for Taylor Kerner with a reimbursement of $5,000.00.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
g. Consider and act on appointment of the Department Heads.
The following Department Head appointments have been Made by Joshua J. Kuhl, effective May 1, 2023
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Brooks, to authorize appointment of the Department Heads.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Harris, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
h. Consider and act on the Department Head hourly wage increase.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Harris, to authorize Department Head hourly wage increase of $.90 per hour, effective May 1, 2023.
Ayes: Blake, Harris, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Swear in newly elected officials.
Aldermen - Mike Swick, Ward 1; Kaleb Wright, Ward 2; Larry Brooks, Ward 3
Zoning Board -W. Tom Clark, Lanette Huddleston, Twyla Harvey and Kenneth Belcher
b. Seat new officials: Mike Swick, Ward 1; Kaleb Wright, Ward 2; Larry Brooks, Ward 3.
c. Honor Marlene Harris for her service.
The Council presented Alderwoman Harris with a plaque for her years of service. The Mayor thanked Alderwoman Harris for her service and her contribution to the community.
d. Consider and act on appointment of Committee Chairmen and committee members.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Wright, to authorize appointment of Committee Chairmen and committee members.
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
e. Consider and act on Special Event Application for Newton Junior Woman's 5k
run/walk/kid's fun run.
Motion was made by Glumac, seconded by Wright, to authorize Special Event Application for Newton Junior Woman's 5k run/walk/kid's fun run, May 20, 2023.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
f. Consider and act on donating a Five April Crossing lot to a family victim of the recent tornado.
Motion was made by Swick, seconded by Glumac, to authorize donating a Five April Crossing lot to a family victim of the recent tornado.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
10. STATEMENTS:
Council Members:
Glumac: She thanked Marlene for her service.
She appreciated the community's support for the Strong Girls and Boy group.
Wright: No Comment
Brooks: He called a Water/Wastewater Committee Meeting Monday, May 8, 2023 at 6:00 PM. Lindemann: I have nothing.
Blake: I'd like to thank Marlene and then welcome all the new people. Thank you all.
Swick: Thanks to Marlene for holding the fort down over in Ward One. I appreciate everything you've done. I know you've worked hard. Fasten your seat belts, I'm ready to get some work done.
City Attorney: No comments
City Treasurer: Thank you, Marlene, for your service. We appreciate everything that you've done for us.
City Clerk: Thanks Marlene. Welcome everyone.
Mayor:
Thank you, Marlene, for your years of service and dedication, not only to this council, but to the citizens of Newton.
Thank you to the past two zoning members who did not seek re-election. Congratulations to all the newly elected officials.
Citywide cleanup on 19th and the 20th of May. If you need help hauling things reach out to the city police department or city hall. We will get somebody to help.
11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
Water and Waste Water Committee Meeting Monday, May 8, 2023 at 6:00 PM
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate, purchase of real estate and personnel.
Motion was made by Blake, seconded by Glumac, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate, purchase of real estate and personnel pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 7:08 PM.
Motion was made by Swick, seconded by Glumac, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:35 PM.
13. Josh Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate, purchase of real estate and personnel.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Lindemann, seconded by Swick, to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:38 PM.
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