East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met March 6.

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, RJ Lindemann and Mike Swick

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

Absent: Larry Brooks and Eric Blake

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:

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

Sarah Diel Kinkade and Lanette Huddleston were added to Public Comments. Sale of Real Estate was added to Executive Session.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of January 16, 2024.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to approve the minutes of the January 16, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS:

• Donna Kuhl and Davis St. Residents: There have been considerable updates to the West ball diamond and expansion of the West parking lot at the Boys and Girls Park.

Mayor Kuhl explained due to the extremely high volume of people in and out of the ball park during season, and for the upmost safety precautions, a one way in and one way out entrance needed revised. Davis St. is a city owned and city maintained street. With expansion to the West side of the ball park, Davis St. would be opened for thru traffic during game times. A gate will be erected, and shall be closed after games.

The residents voiced concerns and presented other options that could possibly help with the flow of high volume traffic. Davis St. is only 40’ feet wide. Some residents do not have off street parking. They spoke on behalf of the safety of their own children and concerns of trespassing on their private property.

After much discussion and compromise, Mayor Kuhl, council and Davis St. residents came to an agreement. For the safety of patrons at the ballpark and residents of Davis St., Davis St. will only be open during ballpark operational hours. It is to be an EXIT ONLY for leaving the ball park. Signs will be posted and the situation will be monitored.

• Sarah Diel Kinkade: Spoke on behalf of the Chamber Board and Officers. Thanked everyone that attended the Chamber Banquet. Thanked the city departments for all their help and support of the Chamber. The city departments are always willing to go above and beyond. Presented Matt Tarr, City of Newton Electric Department Head, with a token of appreciation.

• Lanette Huddleston: Voiced her concern on a past due bill from an old tenant. With all other costs landlords have to endure when tenants flee, she does not feel the utility bill should be the landlord’s responsibility when the bill is not in their name. Mayor Kuhl referred her to Newton City Code 38-1-8.

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Personnel Committee Meeting Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 5:15 PM.

Personnel Committee Meeting, Tuesday January 16, 2024, 5:25 PM – 6:00 PM Meeting was called to order at 5:25 PM

• Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss personnel.

• Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to go out of closed session and back into open session at 5:59 PM.

Meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.

Kaleb Wright – Chairman

• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

Waiting on Minutes

• Electric Committee Meeting Tuesday, January 30, 2024 immediately following the Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting.

Electric Committee Meeting Minutes, Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 6:40 PM – 8:02 PM

Present: Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Kaleb Wright, Melissa Brooks, Mike Swick, Amy Tarr, Brenda Phillips, Matt Tarr and Jeff Vance

Meeting was called to order at 6:40 PM.

• Gayle Glumac asked for a motion to go out of open session and into closed session. RJ Lindemann seconded the motion to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss municipal power.

RJ Lindemann left the meeting at 6:50 PM.

Jeff Vance left the meeting at 7:19 PM.

• Gayle Glumac asked for a motion to go out of closed session and back into open session. Executive Session ended at 7:38 PM.

Open Session resumed at 7:38 PM

• Matt Tarr presented a leasing agreement for a new bucket truck for the Electric Department. He is going to be looking into advantages and disadvantages of leasing to own or purchasing outright.

• Updates for a step-by-step liability procedure to the Electrical Code in the Newton City Code Book was discussed.

• It was recommended by the committee to send two city employees and one member of the council to the IMEA Conference that will be held in May 2024.

Meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM.

Submitted by:

Gayle Glumac – Chairman

8. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on awarding bid for W. Jourdan St. sidewalk project. (Bid letting 10 AM, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at City Hall.)

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to table awarding the bid for W. Jourdan St. sidewalk project to the February 20, 2024 Newton City Council Meeting.

Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on awarding bid for S. Van Buren St. sidewalk project. (Bid letting 10:15 AM, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at City Hall.)

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to table awarding the bid for S. Van Buren St. sidewalk project to the February 20, 2024 Newton City Council Meeting.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on awarding bid for E. Washington St. sidewalk project. (Bid letting 10:30 AM, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at City Hall.)

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to table awarding the bid for E. Washington St. sidewalk project to the February 20, 2024 Newton City Council Meeting.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

D. 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 Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, 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: Wright, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

E. Consider and act on passing Ordinance No. 24-02 Amending the Pay Schedule for the Billing Clerk Department Head to $25.99 per hour.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to pass Ordinance No. 24-02 Amending the Pay Schedule for the Billing Clerk Department Head to $25.99 per hour.

Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

F. Consider and act on passing Ordinance No. 24-03 Authorizing the Sale of Lot 11 in Five Aprils Crossing.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to pass Ordinance No. 24-03 Authorizing the Sale of Lot 11 in Five Aprils Crossing.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann

Nays: None

9. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on writing off uncollectible debt in the amount of $14,157.26 for 41 different utility accounts that closed from 2008 to 2017.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to write off uncollectible debt in the amount of $14,157.26 for 41 different utility accounts that closed from 2008 to 2017.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing a Grant Writing Services Agreement with South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission (SCIRPDC) for a Community Facilities Grant (CFG) for the aided purchase of a new/used police vehicle.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize a Grant Writing Services Agreement with South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission (SCIRPDC) for a Community Facilities Grant (CFG) for the aided purchase of a new/used police vehicle.

Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing a Special Event Permit Application to Embarras River Tourism Council for a Total Eclipse of the Heartland Viewing and Activities held on the Newton Square on April 8, 2024 from 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize tabling the Special Event Permit Application to Embarras River Tourism Council for a Total Eclipse of the Heartland Viewing and Activities held on the Newton Square on April 8, 2024 from 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM to the March 5, 2024 Newton City Council Meeting.

Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

10. STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: There will be an Electric Committee Meeting on February 19, 2024 at 6:00 PM. Thanked Josh Ochs and the Street Department for cleaning up the sidewalks and drains by Newton Elementary.

Wright: No Comments

Lindemann: Thanked the residents of Davis St. for their input and understanding this evening. Voiced opinion towards abolishment of the Capital Development Fund.

Swick: The Chamber Banquet was a fantastic time. If you didn’t get a chance to go, put it on your agenda for next year. There is grant money for businesses. Reach out for information. City Attorney: Judgment was obtained from the court, giving the city the right to demolish property at 200 N. Goble St.

City Treasurer: No Comments

City Clerk: The Embarras River Tourism Council had asked if displaying banners at the Newton entrance signs would be allowed and what requirements would need met. Tourism Council would need to contact the property owners and follow state right of way guidelines. Mayor: The Chamber Banquet was a wonderful evening. Every table was accompanied by local business owners. It was an honor to see the encompassing of those businesses into the Chamber. Many awards were given to very special people who have done a lot for our community and helping it grow.

Echoed Sarah Kinkade in standing up for our city workers and how they all continually go above and beyond in their work.

Acknowledged any lack of communication and expressed appreciation to all residents on Davis St. The willingness to work together and have these discussions are not always for the sole purpose of one, but for the betterment of our community as a whole, so thank you for your input and understanding this evening.

11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: February 20, 2024 at 6:00 PM

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

• Electric Committee Meeting Monday, February 19, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

12. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

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

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann

Nays: None

Open session suspended at 7:25 PM.

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

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

Open session resumed at 8:14 PM.

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

13. ADJOURNMENT:

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

Ayes: Wright, Glumac, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.

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