East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council Oct. 15.

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, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and Mike Swick

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

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to adopt the proposed agenda.

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

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of October 1, 2024.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council.

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

Nays: None

6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $676,621.49 and the bills and accounts payable earlier today and makes a motion to approve the pre-paids and authorize payment of the bills and accounts payable in the amount of $124,766.73. Kaleb Wright seconded the motion.

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

Nays: None

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

• Personnel Committee Meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 5:30 PM.

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 8, 2024 6:00 PM – 6:48 PM 

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM.

• Potential incentives for Five Aprils Crossing Subdivision were discussed. The expansion of the Enterprise Zone largely helped in this regard. Waived tapping fees and sales tax exemption for building materials is now included.

• Dumpster reimbursement policy was discussed. The city will investigate expanding this in the future.

• iPads were discussed for use in each utility department for access to our utility maps and asset location when out in the field.

Meeting adjourned at 6:48 PM.

Those in attendance: RJ Lindemann – Chairman, Larry Brooks, Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Mike Swick, Eric Blake, Melissa Brooks, Kaleb Wright, Kenneth Belcher

9. OLD BUSINESS: None

10.NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on providing flu shots for all part-time and full-time city employees.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize providing flu shots for all part-time and full-time city employees.

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

Nays: None

11.STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: Save the dates:

• October 19, 2024 Scare on the Square 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• October 19, 2024 Friends Festival at Newton Free Methodist Church after Scare on the Square

• October 22, 2024 School Safety City Day at Newton Elementary 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM. Everyone come out, lots of great prizes. Must be present to win!

Called an Electric Committee Meeting for Wednesday, October 30, 2024, immediately following the City Insurance Committee Meeting.

Wright: Gave updates on applicants for the Chief of Police position and confirmed the requested changes to the police contract had been made. Canceled Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on October 21, 2024. Called a Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting for Wednesday, October 23, 2024 and Thursday, October 24, 2024, both at 6:00 PM.

Brooks: No comments.

Lindemann: Presented utility adjustments. Voiced opposition to the Capital Development Fund.

Blake: No comments.

Swick: Reminder of School Safety City Day that will be held Tuesday, October 22, 2024 from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM at Newton Elementary. Everyone please plan to attend. Shout out, and big Thank You, to all volunteers from Scott Avenue Christian Church for their help painting curbs and putting slats in the fence by the Old Mill Bridge. The city is very grateful for your service and would like to encourage anyone to volunteer.

City Attorney: No comments.

City Treasurer: Updated council of current dumpster reimbursement totals for the fiscal year. Has received a draft copy of the audit and is currently reviewing. 

City Clerk: Informed council of the upcoming Special Event, Scare on the Square, that will be held this Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. 

Mayor: Special thanks to all the volunteers from Scott Avenue Christian Church. The City of Newton appreciates you! Everyone please spread the word for the School Safety City Day being held next Tuesday, October 22, from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM at Newton Elementary. This is being held as part of the Safe Routes to School Grant the city was awarded back in May. Also, trick-or-treat night for Newton will be on Thursday, October 31, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, with a rain date of November 1.

12.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: November 5, 2024 at 6:00 PM

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

• Personnel Committee Meeting on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

• Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

• Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

• Insurance Committee Meeting on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

• Electric Committee Meeting on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 immediately following the City Insurance Committee Meeting.

• Public Hearing on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 5:30 PM for Vacating an Alley running East and West between Lots 3 & 6 in Block 13 in the City of Newton.

13.ADJOURNMENT:

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

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

Nays: None

Meeting adjourned at 6:19 PM.

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/241015-UN-CC-Meeting-Minutes.pdf