East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met Jan. 21.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER: Joshua J. Kuhl, Mayor

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Mike Swick

3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of January 7, 2025

6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS:

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Electric Committee Meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM.

• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM.

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025 immediately following the Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting.

• Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM.

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM.

9. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Swear in Officer James Riddle as Chief of Police.

B. 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.

C. Consider and act on authorizing a material sale water connection fee reimbursement to 403 Woods Farm Ln. in the amount of $1,087.08, added as an Enterprise Zone incentive that was passed on September 18, 2024.

D. Consider and act on authorizing a material sale water connection fee reimbursement to 303 Woods Farm Ln. in the amount of $1.087.08, added as an Enterprise Zone incentive that was passed on September 18, 2024.

E. Consider and act on authorizing the TIF Application submitted for 1107 S. Van Buren St. for 15% of the total project cost up to the amount of $83,574.45 to be reimbursed yearly based on the incremental tax increase after completion of the project, as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.

F. Consider and act on authorizing a Demolition Reimbursement or Dumpster Reimbursement for 109 Goble St.

G. Review and discuss the TIF Agreement with Harvest Biofuels.

H. Discuss qualifications to the Demolition Reimbursement Application.

I. Discuss qualifications to the Dumpster Reimbursement Application.

10. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 25-01, an Ordinance Granting an Exclusive Franchises to Republic Services for Operation of a Sanitary Hauling Service Within the City of Newton.

B. Consider and act on authorizing the hire of Micheal Hall as a full-time officer of the Newton Police Department.

C. Consider and act on authorizing the hire of Adam Deckard as a part-time officer of the Newton Police Department.

D. Consider and act on authorizing the Newton Police Department to advertise for lateral hire with sign on incentives.

E. Consider and act on authorizing the city to pursue selling a portion of the Griffith ground.

11. STATEMENTS BY: Council Members, City Attorney, City Treasurer, City Clerk (2 PO’s), Mayor

12. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: February 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting on Monday, February 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM.

13. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Sale of Real Estate, Personnel and Potential Litigation

14. ADJOURNMENT

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/250121-CC-Agenda.pdf