East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met Dec. 3.

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 Larry Brooks.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Larry Brooks.

3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk

Physically present: Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann and Mike Swick

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

Absent: Alderman Eric Blake

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to adopt the proposed agenda.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of November 19, 2024.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Electric Committee Meeting on Monday, December 2, 2024 at 5:30 PM.

Electric Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, December 2, 2024 5:30 PM – 6:13 PM

Present: Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Mike Swick, Matt Tarr, Amy Tarr, Melissa Brooks, Brenda Phillips and Maggie McDonald

Meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM.

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

5:58 PM

• Gayle Glumac made a motion to go out of executive session and back into open session. Mike Swick seconded the motion.

Brenda Phillips left the meeting.

• Matt Tarr is looking into getting a system inspection of the city’s electrical grid. This diagnostic exam will help the city determine growth and feasibility for the future. It was requested to get a couple different quotes on what this is going to cost. Matt will be budgeting this in for next year.

• The committee discussed the possibility of Jared Wagner setting up Lights in the Park in the future. This would just include the initial set up, not maintenance throughout the season.

• The Electric Department will be purchasing a shipping container for storage.

• McClane’s will be hooking up a second meter for an electric vehicle charge station. Meeting adjourned at 6:13 PM.

8. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Opening of sealed bids for the 2012 Dodge Durango.

B. Consider and act on awarding bid for the 2012 Dodge Durango. Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac to award the bid for the 2012 Dodge Durango to Seth Yager in the amount of $3,001.99.

Ayes: Brooks, Swick, Glumac

Nays: Lindemann, Wright

C. Consider and act on authorizing a Power Purchasing Contract with most favorable power supplier.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize tabling (8C.) the Power Purchasing Contract with the most favorable power supplier to after Executive Session.

Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 24-17 the Annual Tax Levy. Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to pass Ordinance 24-17 the Annual Tax Levy.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann

Nays: None

E. Consider and act on authorizing the Abatement Certificate for the Aquatic Center Facility.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the Abatement Certificate for the Aquatic Center Facility.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

9. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing Luminare Health Benefits for a one-year agreement to administer the medical and dental benefit plans for the City of Newton.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize Luminare Health Benefits for a one-year agreement to administer the medical and dental benefit plans for the City of Newton.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing one employee from the Newton Police Department to attend a TASER Instructor Certification Course in Vincennes, IN on December 16, 2024.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Larry Brooks, to authorize one employee from the Newton Police Department to attend a TASER Instructor Certification Course in Vincennes, IN on December 16, 2024.

Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application submitted by Jasper County Chamber of Commerce for Christmas on the Square and Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the Special Event Application submitted by Jasper County Chamber of Commerce for Christmas on the Square and Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application submitted by Rauch’s Jewelry for Rauch’s Christmas Traditions on Friday, December 6, 13 and 20 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the Special Event Application submitted by Rauch’s Jewelry for Rauch’s Christmas Traditions on Friday, December 6, 13 and 20 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann

Nays: None

10.STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: Myself, along with my Church, took donations for Lights in the Park last Sunday. Very nice time. Lots of compliments on the Christmas lights. The lights in the donation shed come on and off on their own, and the shed is heated, so thank you Matt for fixing that up. I spoke with the organization who is feeding cats and will ask them to provide an approval list of their feeding locations. I do want to thank the organization for the job they are doing as I do not get phone calls regarding cat problems anymore.

Wright: No comments.

Brooks: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Lindemann: Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Give thanks, as it is the season. Voiced opposition to the Capital Development Fund.

Swick: The lights around town look great. The square looks great. Lights in the Park looks great. Appreciate all who have a part in making the community look great for Christmas.

City Attorney: No comments.

City Treasurer: No comments.

City Clerk: 1 PO. Electric Department PO# 30-30 to AMW Container Rental and Sale for a 20’ Double Door Shipping container plus delivery cost for a total amount of $3,700.00.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the Electric Department PO# 30-30 to AMW Container Rental and Sale for a 20’ Double Door Shipping container plus delivery cost for a total amount of $3,700.00.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

Mayor: Hope everyone had a blessed and happy Thanksgiving and was able to spend time with family and friends. Not only Lights in the Park, but our town square and Christmas décor, as well as all the residential lights look nice and festive. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, it will be here before we know it. I want to continue to thank all our city employees for all they do on a daily basis.

11.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: December 17, 2024 at 6:00 PM

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Electric Committee Meeting on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 3:20 PM.

12.EXECUTIVE SESSION: Municipal Power, Personnel

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss municipal power and personnel pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

Open session suspended at 6:18 PM.

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

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

Open session resumed at 6:39 PM.

Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed municipal power and personnel.

8C. Consider and act on authorizing a Power Purchasing Contract with most favorable power supplier.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize a three-year Energy and Capacity Power Purchasing Agreement, beginning June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2028, with the most favorable power supplier that the Mayor may execute if the price movement on execution day is minimal or in the city’s favor.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

13.ADJOURNMENT:

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

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Lindemann

Nays: None

Meeting adjourned at 6:42 PM.

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/241203-UN-CC-Meeting-Minutes.pdf