City of Newton City Council met Sept. 5.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor
Mayor Joshua Kuhl called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Larry Brooks.
Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Larry Brooks.
3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, Deputy City Clerk
Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann and Michael Swick
Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks, and Deputy Clerk Maggie McDonald
4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: #6 - Add John Stone and Mayor Joshua Kuhl.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adopt the amended agenda. Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick
Nays: None
5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of August 15, 2023.
Motion was made by Larry Brooks, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to approve the minutes of the August 15, 2023 meeting of the Newton City Council.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
Alderman Eric Blake arrived at 6:05 PM.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS:
John Stone: Gave updates on multiple sidewalk projects:
Reviewed plans were sent back from DOT in regards to West Jourdan St. DOT currently has project plans for South Van Buren St. Hoping to open bids by mid-October and have all projects complete before the weather turns for winter. This also includes sidewalk project on East Washington St. Touched base with Mike Swick on the Safe Route to Schools Grant and have gathered a plan on where we would like to administer funds. Would like to start at the Elementary School and go south on Van Buren St. as far as the budget will allow.
Mayor Joshua Kuhl: Met with Small Business Developmental Coalition (SBDC). They service small businesses of 500 employees or less. They are government funded and IECC matches whatever funding they receive, which in return makes their services offered free to small businesses. An employer workshop is being held on September 21 at the Richland Center in Noble, Illinois. They will have a speaker from the Illinois Commerce Commission with an update of changes mandated by the state. Reach out with any questions and we can put you in contact with the director.
Rosie York retired last month. We honor her 10 years of service and appreciate her commitment to being the City Clerk. She was an asset of intelligence to our city and will be missed.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
Building Permits Committee Meeting Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 5:30 PM.
Present: Michael Swick, Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, Melissa Brooks, Maggie McDonald and Kenneth Belcher
• It was recommended by the Building Permit Committee to change all Building Permit Fees to $25.00. Keeping Demolition Permits and Notices of Intent remain at no fee.
• Different specifications were discussed in altering the Dumpster Reimbursement Application. Further research and consideration will be continued in this matter.
Meeting adjourned at 6:05 PM
Michael Swick, Chairman
8. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Consider and act on authorizing the purchase of a 2009 Vactor Ramjet Truck from Coe Equipment, Inc. in the amount of $65,000.00. With a one-month rental price deduction of $9,250.00 and sale of previous truck in the amount of $5,500.00. Making the total purchase price $50,250.00.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the purchase of a 2009 Vactor Ramjet Truck from Coe Equipment, Inc. in the amount of $65,000.00. With a one month rental price deduction of $9,250.00 and sale of previous truck in the amount of $5,500.00. Making the total purchase price $50,250.00.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: Blake
B. Consider and act on authorizing Consulting Services Agreement between Vance Power and Energy Consulting and the City of Newton.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize Consulting Services Agreement between Vance Power and Energy Consulting and the City of Newton.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
C. Consider and act on authorizing Ramon Kocher to proceed with construction of the awning in the back of City Hall in the total amount of $2,189.86.
Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Larry Brooks, to authorize Ramon Kocher to proceed with construction of the awning in the back of City Hall in the total amount of $2,189.86.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
D. Consider and act on proceeding with water main replacement on South Van Buren St. in the TIF district with an estimated project cost of $1,210,000.00
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize proceeding with water main replacement on South Van Buren St. in the TIF district with an estimated project cost of $1,210,000.00
Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: Lindemann, Blake
E. Consider and act on authorizing all Building Permit fees to $25.00, leaving Demolition Permits and Notice of Intents at no charge, and allowing the City Attorney to update the ordinance in the Building Regulations section pertaining to permit fees, as recommended by the Building Permit Committee. Motion was made by Mike Swick, second by Larry Brooks, to authorize all Building Permit fees to $25.00, leaving Demolition Permits and Notice of Intents at no charge, and allowing the City Attorney to update the ordinance in the Building Regulations section pertaining to permit fees, as recommended by the Building Permit Committee.
Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Swick, Kuhl
Nays: Wright, Lindemann, Blake
F. Discuss forming City of Newton Project Planning Group.
It was discussed to get a group of council members, chamber members, school faculty, business owners, Newton residents and others to give input on different projects they would like to see in our community and develop a plan to execute.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application to the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce for the Fall Festival being held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the Special Event Application to the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce for the Fall Festival being held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
B. Consider and act on passing Resolution 23-10 for the Fall Festival Parade being held on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to pass Resolution 23-10 for the Fall Festival Parade being held on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright
Nays: None
10. STATEMENTS BY:
Glumac: Construction is taking place on IL Rt. 130. Please be cautious when driving and keep an extra eye out for the school kids walking.
Wright: No Comments
Brooks: No Comments
Lindemann: Voiced opinion on Capital Development Fund.
Blake: Building permits should be free.
Swick: Would highly like to see the Capital Development Fund flourish. With our Newton Project Planning Group, the funds will be useful.
Students of St. Thomas have helped with the project on Hickory Dr., and it is coming together very nicely. It has been a pleasure having help from these kids. Hope to be completed in a couple more weeks.
City Attorney: No Comments
City Treasurer: The Capital Development Fund is only funded out of the Electric Fund. There is a cap of $250,000.00.
Deputy City Clerk: (2 PO’s)
1. Wastewater Dept. PO#10 for the purchase of Kaser Blower to Vandevanter Engineering in the amount of $10,042.01.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the Wastewater Dept. PO#10 for the purchase of Kaser Blower to Vandevanter Engineering in the amount of $10,042.01.
Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks
Nays: None
2. Park Department PO for a dump bed from AJ Welding and Steel Inc. for truck in the amount of $17,097.26.
Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the Park Department PO for a dump bed from AJ Welding and Steel Inc. for truck in the amount of $17,097.26.
Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann
Nays: None
Mayor Kuhl: Alita Tharp wrote a thank you card to the city employees stating her appreciation for the prompt response to the water main break on Morgan St. and for the repair of her gravel and driveway. Get out and enjoy the Fall Festival and activities on the square this weekend. Keep cheering and supporting all of our fall sports teams.
11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: September 19, 2023 at 6:00 PM
SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 6:00 PM.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle 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: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake
Nays: None
Open session suspended at 6:51 PM.
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of closed session and back into open session.
Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick
Nays: None
Open session resumed at 7:49 PM.
Mayor Josh Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation, sale of real estate, purchase of real estate and personnel.
13. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac
Nays: None
Meeting adjourned at 7:53 PM.
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