East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met Jan. 2.

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 RJ Lindemann.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman RJ Lindemann.

3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk

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

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

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to adopt the proposed agenda.

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

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of December 19, 2023.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to approve the minutes of the December 19, 2023 meeting of the Newton City Council. Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: None

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 5:30 PM. (Waiting on Minutes)

8. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on passing Resolution 23-12, A Resolution of Support for a State of Illinois Community Development Block Grant.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to pass Resolution 23-12, A Resolution of Support for a State of Illinois Community Development Block Grant.

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

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing the proposal to Imagine This for a joint City/County website with an estimated cost of $6,200.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the proposal to Imagine This, from Effingham, Illinois, for a joint City/County website with an estimated cost of $6,200, as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.

Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks

Nays: Blake

C. Consider and act on authorizing the City Attorney to move forward with a city limit property disconnection at 8665 N. St. Hwy 130 and 8679 N. St. Hwy 130. Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize tabling the City Attorney to move forward with a city limit property disconnection at 8665 N. St. Hwy 130 and 8679 N. St. Hwy 130.

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

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on opening the south end of Davis St. to the ballpark for seasonal traffic.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to open the south end of Davis St. to the ballpark for seasonal traffic.

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

Nays: None

E. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to 3B General Contracting for a Demolition Reimbursement Application for 706 Fairground St.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize tabling the disbursement of funds to 3B General Contracting for a Demolition Reimbursement Application for 706 Fairground St.

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

Nays: None

F. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to Mike Fischer for a Demolition Reimbursement Application for 304 W. Curtis St.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize tabling the disbursement of funds to Mike Fischer for a Demolition Reimbursement Application for 304 W. Curtis St.

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

Nays: None

G. Consider and act on authorizing two police officers to attend the Southern Illinois Criminal Justice Summit on February 28 and February 29, 2024, in Effingham, Illinois. Total expenses are $85 per person for the two-day conference.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize two police officers to attend the Southern Illinois Criminal Justice Summit on February 28 and February 29, 2024, in Effingham, Illinois. Total expenses are $85 per person for the two-day conference.

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

Nays: None

H. Consider and act on authorizing one employee from the City Clerk’s office to attend the Municipal Clerks of Illinois Winter Seminar Training on January 24 - January 26, 2024 in Elgin, Illinois. Total cost of enrollment and lodging is $400.00 plus allowable expenses.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize one employee from the City Clerk’s office to attend the Municipal Clerks of Illinois Winter Seminar Training on January 24-January 26, 2024 in Elgin, Illinois. Total cost of enrollment and lodging is $400.00 plus allowable expenses.

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

Nays: None

I. Discuss property at 805 Fairground St.

Payment to the insured will be held until matters are taken care of and satisfactory with city code compliance.

9. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing an Agreement to Purchase to Donna Coad, the buyer, with the City of Newton, the seller, of Lot 11 in Five Aprils Subdivision. Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Larry Brooks, to authorize an Agreement to Purchase to Donna Coad, the buyer, with the City of Newton, the seller, of Lot 11 in Five Aprils Subdivision.

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

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing a one-year membership with IMUA with a total cost of $3,644.97.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize a one-year membership with IMUA with a total cost of $3,644.97.

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

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing a CEO Donation in the amount of $1,000 per year for three years.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize a CEO Sponsorship Pledge in the amount of $1,000 per year for three years.

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

Nays: None

10. STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: Thanked the Leachman’s for the start and continuance over the last four years to Lights in the Park. It has been a gift to the City of Newton. Nice to see the city employee’s cooperation today in taking lights down, thank you to all that came and helped. Wright: No Comments.

Brooks: No Comments.

Lindemann: Wished everyone a Happy New Year. Expressed excitement for the new City\County website. Voiced opposition to the Capital Development Fund. Blake: No Comments

Swick: Voiced recognition to all who made Lights in the Park, the Old Mill Bridge, and City Square festive and welcoming this holiday season.

City Attorney: No Comments

City Clerk: Echoed RJ Lindemann on excitement for an upcoming City/County joint website project. Gave shout out to our city workers, we have a good group of guys. Wished everyone a Happy New Year.

Mayor: Hope everyone was able to relax and enjoy the holiday with family and friends. Thank you again to all involved making the Lights in the Park, the Old Mill Bridge and the Newton Square so nice for the holidays, and as always thank you to our City workers for all they do inside and outside. Onward to a prosperous 2024.

11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: January 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting Monday, January 8, 2024 at 5:30 PM.

• Electric Committee Meeting Monday, January 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

• Personnel Committee Meeting Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 5:30 PM.

12. ADJOURNMENT

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

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

Nays: None

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