East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met Jan. 7.

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 Eric Blake.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Eric Blake.

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

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of December 17, 2024.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to approve the minutes of the December 17, 2024 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM. (Waiting on minutes)

Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Thursday, January 2, 2025 immediately following the Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting. Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 2, 2025 7:35 PM - 8:42 PM Meeting called to order at 7:35 PM.

TIF Application for Wad It Up Transport was discussed. More research is going to be done by the mayor.

Demolition reimbursement for Jared Wagner was discussed once again. The council will be taking up a vote at the next council meeting.

TIF Application for Taylor Kerner was discussed. Up to $158,907.60 was the recommended amount to be awarded by the committee.

Changes to the Demolition Reimbursement Application were discussed. They will be discussed in future meetings.

Meeting adjourned at 8:42 PM.

Those in attendance: RJ Lindemann - Chairman, Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Joshua Kuhl, Mike Swick, Maggie McDonald, Melissa Brooks, Eric Blake, Doug Weddell and Jared Wagner

Electric Committee Meeting on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 5:30 PM. RESCHEDULED - January 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM.

8. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing the TIF Application submitted for 1107 S Van Buren St.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to table authorizing the TIF Application submitted for 1107 S Van Buren St. to the January 21, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing the TIF Application submitted for 105 Marshall Dr.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the TIF Application submitted for 105 Marshall Dr. for 15% of the total project cost up to the amount of $158,907.60, to be reimbursed yearly based on the incremental tax increase after completion of the project, as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing the Demolition Reimbursement Application resubmitted for 801 W. Jourdan St.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the Demolition Reimbursement Application resubmitted for 801 W. Jourdan St.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac

Nays: Wright, Lindemann, Blake

D. Consider and act on authorizing the appointment of the Chief of Police. Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the appointment of James Riddle as the Newton Chief of Police.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: Blake

E. Consider and act on authorizing a one-year contract agreement with the Chief of Police.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize a one-year contract agreement with the Newton Chief of Police.

Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: Blake

9. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing Adam Bridges Letter of Resignation.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize Adam Bridges Letter of Resignation with last working day on January 10, 2025.

Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing a one-year membership with Illinois

Municipal Utilities Association for a total cost of $3,956.83. Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize a one-year membership with Illinois Municipal Utilities Association for a total cost of $3,956.83.

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing a Grant Writing Agreement with South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission for an Officer Recruitment and Retention Grant.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize a Grant Writing Agreement with South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission for an Officer Recruitment and Retention Grant.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on authorizing one employee from the Police Department to attend the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System Conference in Springfield, Illinois on March 30, 2025 - April 1, 2025. Conference fee is $200 plus hotel and allowable expenses.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize one employee from the Police Department to attend the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System Conference in Springfield, Illinois on March 30, 2025 - April 1, 2025. Conference fee is $200 plus hotel and allowable expenses.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick

Nays: None

E. Consider and act on authorizing two employees from the Police Department

to attend the Southern Illinois Criminal Justice Summit on February 26 and 27, 2025, in Effingham, Illinois. Total summit cost is $85.00 per person plus milage expense.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize two employees from the Police Department to attend the Southern Illinois Criminal Justice Summit on February 26 and 27, 2025, in Effingham, Illinois. Total summit cost is $85.00 per person plus milage expense.

Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

10. STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: Big thank you to Gaspare with Joe's Italian Foods for providing lunch, and all the other businesses that provided drinks for our guy's cleaning snow. Thank you to our city guys for all their hard work put in keeping our roads cleared.

Wright: Thank you to the city guys for clearing the roads and keeping them clear. Many other towns were not near as clear as Newton.

Lindemann: Big thank you to all the city employees who worked effortlessly and from a very early point in the morning. Other towns could not say, after that storm, they would have been able to go to work Monday morning if they wanted to. I think it's awesome we have that in Newton. Also, feels the Capital Development Fund should be abolished.

Blake: Thank you, Adam Bridges, for his time served with the City Police Department and wish you well on future endeavors. Thanked all involved with the snow removal. Swick: Thank you to all departments involved in the snow removal, very great job. Our residents are lucky compared to other towns; I can vouch for that.

City Attorney: When coming to work this morning, I was sure glad when I crossed the county line. Much better roads here than where I came from.

City Treasurer: Thanks to the guys keeping our sidewalks and everything here at city hall clear for us as well. They do an awesome job and we really appreciate them. City Clerk: No comments.

Mayor: Thank you, Officer Bridges, to your years of service and dedication to the city, the council and members of this community. Wish you well in your next role. Thank you to all city crews for working tirelessly on the snow removal. Thank you to our city residents for keeping vehicles and such off the road so our guys could get the job done and keep our roads cleared. JJI is wanting to meet with the mayor and one other council member. We will continue to support a meeting with all city council members and JJI members present.

11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: January 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM

12. ADJOURNMENT:

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/250107-CC-Meeting-Minutes.pdf