East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met Oct. 17.

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 Mike Swick.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Mike Swick.

3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk

Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, Eric Blake and Michael Swick Absent: RJ Lindemann

Also present: Attorney William Heap, Treasurer Melissa Brooks, and City Clerk Maggie McDonald

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to adopt the amended agenda.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of October 3, 2023.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2023 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Alderman Swick reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $326,787.25 and the bills and accounts payable earlier today and made a motion to approve the pre-paids and authorize payment of the bills and accounts payable in the amount of $135,598.10. Larry Brooks seconded the motion.

Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS:

• Dale Mahaney: Mr. Mahaney was inquiring about the last building permit he applied for the Pub. The situation was last left that he needed to work with an engineer on structural plans and obtain official documentation stating the building was safe and salvageable. If documentation is granted, the city is willing to work in stages of reconstruction. As of today, no documentation is in place and no work is up to code compliance.

• Doug Weddell: The West End Event Center is pursing possible expansion of business. Moving forward with expansion, Mr. Weddell would like to erect a sign along Highway 33. Many different factors create roadblocks where he wants to place the sign. He would like to update what he currently has, and come together with the council to work out a resolution. He was presented several different options to explore before any further requests would be considered. The question of acquiring sidewalks to the event center was also addressed.

• Sarah Diel: Asked on behalf of the Chamber for an extension of Jackson St. to remain closed until 10 PM for the witches walk that will be held in conjunction to the Special Event, Scare on the Square, this weekend on Saturday, October 21, 2023.

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 6:00 PM. Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 11, 2023 6:00 PM – 6:50 PM Meeting called to order at 6:00

• It was the majority view of the committee to recommend the approval of TIF application for Winner Winner Chicken Dinner 777, on the condition that the applicant's state liquor license must first be approved.

• The TIF application for the Samanas' was discussed, and it was decided that the TIF application should be rejected, due to state statutes regarding TIF. The investigation into offering a 5-year tax abatement (permitted by covenants) instead. Other incentives for residential construction in the future were discussed, and the council will be looking into them further.

• Pay for aldermen and the mayor was discussed. A consensus has yet to be reached on the matter.

• Delinquent utility outstanding balances were discussed. Amy Tarr purposed a collections company that we should begin taking advantage of. She was given the go-ahead by the committee to speak with the city lawyer regarding the process.

• It was discussed as to whether or not the spending limits for department heads without council or chairman approval ought to be raised. The consensus was that each committee chairman would discuss each department's needs with their respective department head.

• Sending potential community projects off to engineers before grant opportunities arise was discussed. It was the consensus of the committee that this would be a good plan, allowing the city a one-up on its competition for grants.

• Matt Tarr brought up a cyber security grant that is available from the state. Each department is to evaluate their technological needs before the grant deadline arrives.

The meeting adjourned at 6:50

Those in attendance were: RJ Lindemann – Chairman, Eric Blake, Larry Brooks, Gayle Glumac, Mike Swick, Melissa Brooks, Kaleb Wright, Tyler Weber, Matt Tarr, Elizabeth Belcher, Kenneth Belcher, Amy Tarr and Riley Britton • Police/Building Permit Committee Meeting Wednesday, October 11, 2023 immediately following the Finance/Audit Committee Meeting.

9. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on TIF application for Robert and Kathryn Samanas.

Motion dies for lack of motion.

B. Consider and act on TIF application for Winner Winner Chicken Dinner 777, LLC contingent upon applicant obtaining a state gaming license.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the TIF application submitted by Winner Winner Chicken Dinner 777, LLC in the amount of $5,000, contingent upon applicant obtaining a state gaming license.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on awarding bid for W. Jourdan sidewalk project. (Bid letting 10 AM, Monday, October 16, 2023 at City Hall.)

Motion dies for lack of motion.

D. Consider and act on awarding bid for E. Washington St. sidewalk project. (Bid letting 10:30 AM, Monday, October 16, 2023 at City Hall.)

Motion dies for lack of motion.

E. Consider and act on awarding bid for S. Van Buren St. sidewalk project. (Bid letting 11 AM, Monday, October 16, 2023 at City Hall.)

Motion dies for lack of motion.

10. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on Special Event Permit Application from the Chamber of Commerce for Scare on the Square on October 21, 2023 between 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. (Ending time was modified to 10 PM on Jackson St. for the Witches Walk.)

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the Special Event Permit Application from the Chamber of Commerce for Scare on the Square on October 21, 2023 between 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on utilizing the alley between Grace Methodist Church and the County Office Building for a beautification project.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Larry Brooks, to table authorizing the utilization of the alley between Grace Methodist Church and the County Office Building for a beautification project.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on sending 3 employees and 1 alderman to the IMUA Regional Meeting in Effingham on November 8, 2023. There is no fee for this meeting.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick to authorize sending 3 employees and 1 alderman to the IMUA Regional Meeting in Effingham on November 8, 2023. There is no fee for this meeting.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on sending 1 Electric Department employee to Wabash Valley College Spring 2024 CDL school in Noble, IL at a cost of $3,500 plus allowable expenses (mileage). Exact dates of the classes to be announced.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize sending 1 Electric Department employee to Wabash Valley College Spring 2024 CDL school, to obtain a Class A CDL license, in Noble, IL at a cost of $3,500 plus allowable expenses (mileage). Exact dates of the classes to be announced.

Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

11. STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: Thanked Susan Lindley and Tiffany Keller for the decorations they assembled around the square for the Halloween season. On behalf of Ms. Lindley (who could not attend tonight,) “Susan is disappointed in whomever is stealing things from her yard.” Glumac followed with, “That is not what our community represents. Ms. Lindley dedicates an extreme amount of time and effort in the beautification of her home. It is an added attraction when driving through the City of Newton.”

Wright: No Comments

Brooks: No Comments

Blake: No Comments

Swick: No Comments

City Attorney: No Comments

City Treasurer: No Comments

City Clerk: Thanked the Council and Mayor for the opportunity to attend the MCI Clerks Training last week. 2 PO’s for the Newton Police Department totaling $55,235.81 for a new squad car and accessories. 1. PO # 2023-10-1 from Newton Police Department to Galena Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for purchase of a 2023 AWD Dodge Durango Pursuit Vehicle in the amount of $41, 601.00

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize PO# 2023-10-1 for Newton Police Department to purchase a 2023 AWD Dodge Durango Pursuit Vehicle in the amount of $41,601.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks

Nays: None

2. PO# 2023-10-2 from Newton Police Department to CJ’s Performance and Accessories for squad car accessories and labor in the total amount of $13,634.81.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize PO# 2023-10-2 from Newton Police Department to CJ’s Performance and Accessories for squad car accessories and labor in the total amount of $13,634.81.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake

Nays: None

Mayor: Leaf collection to begin November 1st. Citizens of Newton can check our Facebook page or call City Hall for more information. Brush dump will be open every Saturday the month of November. Thank you to all involved in making Lights in the Park available for everyone to enjoy this holiday season. I would like to commend the Chamber. They have done a fabulous job coordinating different events for everyone’s enjoyment. If there are ever any questions regarding an event, reach out to myself or City Hall. Concluded with thanks to all our city employees.

12. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: November 7, 2023 at 6:00 PM

13. SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEEINGS: None

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation, Potential Litigation, Personnel, Sale of Real Estate, Purchase of Real Estate

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss litigation, potential litigation, personnel, sale of real estate, and purchase of real estate pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

Open session suspended at 7:11 PM.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to go out of closed session and back into open session.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

Open session resumed at 8:29 PM.

Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed litigation, potential litigation, personnel, sale of real estate, and purchase of real estate.

15. ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to adjourn the meeting.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

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