East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met March 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 6:01 PM.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Eric Blake.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Eric Blake.

3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk

Physically present: RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and Mike Swick

Also present: Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City Clerk Maggie McDonald

Absent: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks and Attorney William Heap

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to adopt the proposed agenda.

Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Kuhl

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of February 20, 2024.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Eric Blake, to approve the minutes of the February 20, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Kuhl, Lindemann

Nays: None

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS: None

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Street and Alley Committee Meeting, Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

Street and Alley Committee Meeting, Meeting Minutes, Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:20 PM

Present: Eric Blake, Joshua Kuhl, Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Melissa Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Mike Swick, Amy Tarr, Tyler Weber, Dominic Ginder, Taylor Kerner, Donna Kuhl, Keith Kocher, Mike Schackmann, Josh Ochs, and John Stone

Meeting began at 6:00 PM.

• Drainage at South Van Buren St. and Marshall Dr. were discussed.

• A gate at the end of Davis St. along with lighting and sign options were discussed.

• The committee spoke about storm sewer repair behind the Jasper County Annex Building.

• Josh Ochs presented backhoe quotes for outright purchase or lease. More numbers and warranty information were requested by the committee.

Meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM

Eric Blake, Chairman

• Personnel Committee Meeting Tuesday, February 27, 2024 immediately following the Street and Alley Committee Meeting.

(Waiting on Minutes)

• Lights in the Park Committee Meeting Minutes, Monday, March 4, 2024, 5:04 PM – 5:44 PM

Present: Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Mike Swick, Maggie McDonald, Tyler Weber, Michael Schackmann, Mindy Hartke, Matt Tarr, Amy Tarr and Melissa Brooks

Meeting was called to order at 5:04 PM.

• Start date for display setup will be the weekend of October 26 and 27, with a rain date of November 2 and 3.

• Plan to have the opening for Lights in the Park the week of Thanksgiving and run until after the first of the new year.

• Predicting to have room for 10 new displays. Advertisement for donation of display will start in June. There will be a small application completed upon donation.

• Volunteers will work the donation shed on the weekends.

• Tear down and storage of displays will be targeted for January 6.

• The park will remain open during these months.

Meeting adjourned at 5:44 PM.

• Electric Committee Meeting Minutes, Monday, March 4, 2024, 5:49 PM – 7:10 PM Present: Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Maggie McDonald, Mike Swick, Amy Tarr, Tyler Weber, Melissa Brooks and Matt Tarr

Meeting was called to order at 5:49 PM.

• The city is looking into having a rate study done. Most municipalities have these done every 3 to 5 years. The benefits of having it conducted now or later was discussed.

• The Electric Departments current 1997 bucket truck is starting to compile more issues. Diesel leak, oil leak and hydraulic hoses are wearing. There was discussion of seeking bids for a new truck. Wait time for a new truck to come in could be up to 3 years.

• Still currently waiting on getting real time metering for substations. This will give us a minute-by minute power usage reading. Should be up and running by the end of April.

Meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.

8. OLD BUSINESS:

A. 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 dies for lack of second motion.

B. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition Reimbursement Application for 702 Foster St.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize tabling the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition

Reimbursement Application for 702 Foster St. to the March 19, 2024 City Council Meeting.

Ayes: Swick, Kuhl, Lindemann, Blake

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition Reimbursement Application for 504 Curtis St.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Eric Blake, to authorize tabling the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition Reimbursement Application for 504 Curtis St. to the March 19, 2024 City Council Meeting.

Ayes: Kuhl, Lindemann, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition Reimbursement Application for 503 Barton St.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Eric Blake, to authorize tabling the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition Reimbursement Application for 503 Barton St. to the March 19, 2024 City Council Meeting.

Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Kuhl

Nays: None

E. Consider and act on authorizing the hiring of two additional summer time employees. Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Eric Blake, to authorize the hiring of two additional summer time employees.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Kuhl, Lindemann

Nays: None

F. Consider and act on authorizing the transfer of a Sewer Department employee to the Park Department effective May 1, 2024.

Motion was made by Eric Blake, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the transfer of a Sewer Department employee to the Park Department effective May 1, 2024.

Ayes: Swick, Kuhl, Lindemann, Blake

Nays: None

G. Consider and act on beginning the hiring process for employment in the Water Department.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to begin the hiring process for adding an employee in the Water Department.

Ayes: Kuhl, Lindemann, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

H. Consider and act on authorizing the Newton Aquatic Center wage increase. Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the Newton Aquatic Center wage increase.

Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Kuhl

Nays: None

I. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 24-04, A Sublease Agreement with St. Thomas Parish Increasing Payments for Water Wells.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to pass Ordinance 24-04, A Sublease Agreement with St. Thomas Parish Increasing Payments for Water Wells.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Kuhl, Lindemann

Nays: None

9. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing a Grant Writing Services Agreement with South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development for the Energy Transition Community Grant FY – 2024 funding.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Eric Blake, to authorize a Grant Writing Services Agreement with South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development for the Energy Transition Community Grant FY – 2024 funding.

Ayes: Swick, Kuhl, Lindemann, Blake

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing the opening of the yard waste facility the first and third Saturdays, beginning Saturday, April 6, 2024 – Saturday, October 19, 2024 and every Saturday in November, from 8:00 AM – Noon, under the landscape waste collection site rules.

Motion was made by Eric Blake, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the opening of the yard waste facility the first and third Saturdays, beginning Saturday, April 6, 2024 – Saturday, October 19, 2024 and every Saturday in November, from 8:00 AM – Noon, under the landscape waste collection site rules.

Ayes: Kuhl, Lindemann, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application to Newton Jr. Women’s Club for a 5K fun run/walk at Peterson Park on May 18, 2024 from 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM.

Motion was made by Eric Blake, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the Special Event Application to Newton Jr. Women’s Club for a 5K fun run/walk at Peterson Park on May 18, 2024 from 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM.

Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Kuhl

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application to Rauch’s Jewelry and Gift Shoppe for a Pre-Eclipse Party in front of Rauch’s Jewelry on April 5, 2024 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the Special Event Application to Rauch’s Jewelry and Gift Shoppe for a Pre Eclipse Party in front of Rauch’s Jewelry on April 5, 2024 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Kuhl, Lindemann

Nays: None

10. STATEMENTS BY:

Lindemann: Voice opposition to the Capital Development Fund.

Blake: No Comments.

Swick: We will be aggressively going after nuisance violators. Called a Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 5:30 PM.

City Treasurer: The following appropriation changes:

1. Electric Fund: To move $1,000 from Contingency Fund (9000-30) to Building Repair Fund (5630-30).

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to make the appropriation change in the Electric Fund. Moving $1,000 from Contingency Fund (9000-30) to Building Repair Fund (5630-30).

Ayes: Kuhl, Lindemann, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

2. Wastewater Fund: To move $500.00 from Contingency Fund (9000-43) to Uniform Expense (5440-43).

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to make the following appropriation change in the Wastewater Fund. Move $500.00 from Contingency Fund (9000-43) to Uniform Expense (5440-43).

Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Kuhl

Nays: None

City Clerk: A Newton resident came in last week to give recognition and thanks to our Electric Department. We have some very good electricians.

Mayor: Called a Water and Wastewater Meeting for Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 6:00 PM. Budgets are in full swing. We will be meeting with Department Heads the last two weeks of March. Be sure to monitor the current Illinois Legislation changes. The weather is changing as Spring is upon us. Keep your eyes and ears open as more people will be out and about. Time change is this coming weekend so don’t forget to Spring forward. Happy March! 11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: March 19, 2024 at 6:00 PM

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

• Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 5:30 PM.

12. ADJOURNMENT:

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to adjourn the meeting.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Kuhl, Lindemann

Nays: None

Meeting adjourned at 6:34 PM.

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