East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met April 16.

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 Mike Swick

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

Absent: RJ Lindemann

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:

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

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of April 2, 2024.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $186,438.34 and the bills and accounts payable earlier today. Larry Brooks made a motion to approve the pre-paids and authorize payment of the bills and accounts payable in the amount of $76,739.54. Kaleb Wright seconded the motion.

Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS: NONE

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 6:00 PM. (Waiting on minutes).

9. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing an Agreement with IDOT and the Indiana Rail Road for Railway-Highway Grade Crossing Improvements on S. 1st Ave., Sycamore St. and West End Ave.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize tabling the Agreement with IDOT and the Indiana Rail Road for Railway Highway Grade Crossing Improvements on S. 1st Ave., Sycamore St. and West End Ave to the May 7, 2024 City Council Meeting.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing a Dumpster Reimbursement Application for 505 N. Church St. in the amount of $2,421.00 as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize a Dumpster Reimbursement Application for 505 N. Church St. in the amount of $2,421.00 as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks

Nays: None

Abstain: Blake

C. Consider and act on authorizing a Dumpster Reimbursement Application for 505½ N. Church St. in the amount of $2,421.00 as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize a Dumpster Reimbursement Application for 505½ N. Church St. in the amount of $2,421.00 as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Swick

Nays: None

Abstain: Blake

D. Consider and act on authorizing the 2024-2025 City of Newton balanced budget. Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the 2024-2025 City of Newton balanced budget.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

E. Consider and act on authorizing the invoice from Precise Construction Services for the additional sidewalk replacement cost at E. Washington St. in the amount of $2,867.00.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the invoice from Precise Construction Services for the additional sidewalk replacement cost at E. Washington St. in the amount of $2,867.00. Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

F. Consider and act on authorizing the Engineer’s Payment Estimate, with the additional sidewalk replacement cost included for E. Washington St., in the amount of $32,842.19.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the Engineer’s Payment Estimate, with the additional sidewalk replacement cost included for E. Washington St., in the amount of $32,842.19.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks

Nays: None

G. Consider and act on authorizing the invoice from Stone & Waggoner for final sidewalk inspection at E. Washington St. in the amount of $2,934.96.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the invoice from Stone & Waggoner for final sidewalk inspection at E. Washington St. in the amount of $2,934.96.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake

Nays: None

10. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing Stone & Waggoner to conduct a survey for a Right of-Way Easement between E. Curtis St. and Maxwell St.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize Stone & Waggoner to conduct a survey for a Right-of-Way Easement between E. Curtis St. and Maxwell St.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing the City Attorney to prepare the Right-of-Way Easement between E. Curtis St. and Maxwell St.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the City Attorney to prepare the Right-of-Way Easement between E. Curtis St. and Maxwell St.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing Brad Benefiel’s retirement letter, after 34 years of employment with the City of Newton, effective May 15, 2024.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize Brad Benefiel’s retirement letter, after 34 years of employment with the City of Newton, effective May 15, 2024.

Ayes: Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

11. STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: Thanked Tourism and all who hosted events for the Eclipse. Appreciate the utility departments for the unexpected work that was put in that day. They stepped up with no complaints. Everything was handled nicely and went smoothly. Kudos to our great community for encouraging our Strong Boys and Strong Girls to keep pushing as they are hitting some hotter days during their training. Congratulations to Brad, wish him the best on his retirement. Wright: Thanked Melissa for all her work on budgets.

Brooks: The new business on South Van Buren is looking good.

Blake: No Comments.

Swick: The Solar Eclipse went well. It was amazing, to say the least. All the patrons I spoke to were very pleased with how the day went. Congratulations to Benny on a great job in the Park Department and I hope he enjoys his retirement.

City Attorney: No Comments.

City Treasurer: Presented the following appropriation change.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to make the following appropriation change:

1. Specials: Tort (9000-54) to move $50.00 from Contingency Fund to Miscellaneous Expense (7000-54).

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks

Nays: None

It was nice to witness the Eclipse. Thank you all for your gracious comments on the budget. I will not take full credit for the budget preparation, as Donna and Rachel work tremendously on this project.

City Clerk: (2 PO’s)

1. Wastewater Department PO #12 to McClane Motors for a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Truck to be purchased in the start of the next fiscal year in the amount of $11,673.00

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize Wastewater PO #12 to McClane Motors for a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Truck to be purchased in the start of the next fiscal year in the amount of $11,673.00

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks

Nays: Blake

2. Street Department PO #1002-22 for the purchase of concrete forms from BonTool Co. in the amount of $4,988.10.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wrigt, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize Street Department PO #1002-22 for the purchase of concrete forms from BonTool Co. in the amount of $4,988.10.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

Congratulations Brad and happy retirement.

Mayor: Presented the utility adjustments. The Solar Eclipse was every bit of the hype and more. Incredible day. I have never seen so much traffic in Newton. The schools made the right decision to close for the day. Thank you to all who hosted events. Great to see so many out-of town people visiting and to hear all the wonderful things said about our community. Congratulations to Brad Benefiel. Wish him nothing but relaxation and enjoyment. I would be honored to pay for a free pool pass this year in celebration of his retirement. With Spring in the air, colors in bloom, and new sidewalks underway, town is starting to look great. Thank you again to Melissa, Donna and Rachel over the last six months for their work on budgets. Excited for the start of the new fiscal year, and the potential to build from it as the years come.

12. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: May 7, 2024 at 6:00 PM

13. SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Electric Committee Meeting on Monday, April 29, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

14. ADJOURNMENT:

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

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.

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