East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met March 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Finance and Audit Committee Meeting at 5:45 PM.

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, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and Mike Swick

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

Absent: Alderman Larry Brooks

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to adopt the amended agenda.

Potential Litigation was added to Executive Session.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of March 5, 2024.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

Abstain: Glumac

6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $197,379.07 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 $177,041.99. Kaleb Wright seconded the motion.

Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS:

• Brad Tarr with Embarras Watershed Update: Tarr spoke to the council with an update on the completed watershed plan that started back in 2018. He presented explanations as to what exactly the watershed plan is, the type of work and testing that goes into the plan and facts and findings that were taken when conducting the study. This plan was finished and updated in 2022. He thanked the city for their donation given to help fund the plan and presented the city with a finished copy of the watershed plan. The plan can also be found electronically through a link on the first page of the jaspercountyswcd.com website.

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 6:00 PM. (Waiting on minutes)

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 5:45 PM. (Waiting on minutes)

9. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Opening of sealed bids for the 1990 Ford Dump Truck.

B. Consider and act on awarding bid to purchase the 1990 Ford Dump Truck. Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to award bid for the 1990 Ford Dump Truck to Chuck Bosley in the amount of $6,146.00.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann

Nays: None

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

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition Reimbursement Application for 702 Foster St in the amount of $7,500.00 as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake

Nays: None

D. 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 RJ Lindemann, to authorize the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition Reimbursement Application for 504 Curtis St. in the amount of $7,500.00 as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

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

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the disbursement of funds to Jed Earnest for Demolition Reimbursement Application for 503 Barton St. in the amount of $15,000.00 as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.

Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

F. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to JCCU#1 for a Dumpster Reimbursement Application for 907 W. Washington St.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the disbursement of funds to JCCU#1 for a Dumpster Reimbursement Application for 907 W. Washington St. in the amount of $2,500.00.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: Lindemann, Blake

G. Consider and act on awarding bid for the TIF funded S. Van Buren Water Main Replacement Project located in the TIF district.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to award the bid for the TIF funded S. Van Buren Water Main Replacement Project located in the TIF district to Kieffer Bros. Construction in the amount of $634,286.00 as recommended by City Engineer John Stone.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: Lindemann, Blake

H. Consider and act on authorizing the Electric Department Head to solicit bids for a new bucket truck as recommended by the Electric Committee.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the Electric Department Head to solicit bids for a new bucket truck as recommended by the Electric Committee.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann

Nays: Blake

I. Consider and act on authorizing an additional user to the InfraMap software program for a cost of $500 per year plus start up expenses.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize adding an additional user to the InfraMap software program for a cost of $500 per year plus start up expense estimate of $2,880.00.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

10. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing representation for union negotiations. Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize tabling representation for union negotiations until after Executive Session.

Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing the city engineer to proceed forward obtaining permitting for an upcoming OSLAD Grant funding opportunity.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the city engineer to proceed forward obtaining permitting for an upcoming OSLAD Grant funding opportunity.

Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing one Newton City Police Officer to attend the Lead Homicide Investigator Training in Urbana, IL on April 22-26, 2024. Training is free. Only cost will be hotel plus allowable expenses.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize one Newton City Police Officer to attend the Lead Homicide Investigator Training in Urbana, IL on April 22-26, 2024. Training is free. Only cost will be hotel plus allowable expenses.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application for Strong Girls/Strong Boys Fun Run on May 17, 2024 from 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the Special Event Application for the Strong Girls/Strong Boys Fun Run on May 17, 2024 from 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake

Nays: None

11. STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: The Newton Aquatic Center will open Friday, May 24 at Noon. The Strong Girls and Strong Boys of Newton Elementary have started their training with 52 girl and 43 boys. Great participation this year. Gave an update on obtaining an electric rate study. Updated the council with the importance of how this impacts our residents, ways to pay for the study, and the overall need to invest in conducting a rate study.

Wright: Get out and vote. Called a Water/Wastewater Committee Meeting for Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

Lindemann: Went over the utility adjustments. Lent is coming to an end. Happy Easter to everyone. Spoke to abolish the Capital Development fund.

Blake: No Comments.

Swick: Reminder of the Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 5:30 PM.

City Attorney: No Comments.

City Treasurer: No Comments.

City Clerk: No Comments.

Mayor: Thanked Gayle, Amy and Matt for their continued work on obtaining answers and explanation for the use of a rate study. Thanked Melissa and her crew for their work finishing up budgets. Thanks to all city employees for a job well done. The Newton Pool will open May 24. Good luck to all candidates up for election today. Happy Easter everyone.

12. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: April 2, 2024 at 6:00 PM

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

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

• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

13. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss potential litigation pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

Open session suspended at 7:00 PM.

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

Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

Open session resumed at 7:26 PM.

Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed potential litigation.

10(A). Consider and act on authorizing representation for union negotiations. Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac to authorize representation for union negotiations from Giffin Winning Cohen and Bodewes, P.C. Attorneys at Law.

Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

14. ADJOURNMENT:

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

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann

Nays: None

Meeting adjourned at 7:28 PM.

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