East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met March 4.

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 RJ Lindemann.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman RJ Lindemann.

3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk

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

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

Absent: Alderman Larry Brooks and Alderman Eric Blake

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA: (Add Skylar Lindemann to Public Comments)

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

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of February 18, 2025.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Skylar Lindemann: Updated the council on actions he

has taken since the last council meeting in regards to his incident.

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Electric Committee Meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM.

Electric Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 26, 2025 5:30 PM - 6:40 PM

Present: Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Kaleb Wright, RJ Lindemann, Mike Swick, Matt Tarr, Amy Tarr, Maggie McDonald and Melissa Brooks

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 and purchase of real estate. Mike Swick seconded the motion.

6:32 PM

Gayle Glumac made a motion to go out of executive session and back into open session. Kaleb Wright seconded the motion.

Matt is wanting to send one electric department employee to AIEC Lineman School in Springfield on April 21-25, 2025. The cost is $800 plus hotel and allowable expenses.

Matt has a meeting set up with the vendor of his new bucket truck. He will be receiving the new truck in May. This is put in his budget plan over the next five years.

We are still waiting to hear if we were awarded the Grid Resilience Grant to help offset cost of the Line D rebuild.

Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.

Submitted by:

Gayle Glumac - Chairman

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2025 immediately following the Electric Committee Meeting.

Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 26, 2025 6:40 PM - 7:14 PM Present: RJ Lindemann, Melissa Brooks, Kaleb Wright, Gayle Glumac, Mike Swick, Joshua Kuhl, Maggie McDonald, Matt Tarr and Amy Tarr

Meeting called to order at 6:40 PM.

Landlord responsibilities for unpaid utility bills were discussed. Amy Tarr will be getting with the city attorney to revise the current ordinances.

Pool employee wages were discussed. It was decided to raise pay by $1.00 per hour.

Meeting adjourned at 7:14 PM.

Submitted by:

RJ Lindemann - Chairman

8. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing the city attorney to proceed with writing

Ordinance regarding owners' responsibilities to rental properties. (This applies to the owners' responsibilities of unpaid utility bills).

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the city attorney to proceed with writing Ordinance regarding owners' responsibilities to rental properties. (This applies to the owners' responsibilities of unpaid utility bills).

Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 25-03 Amending Chapter 38-1-14

Connection Permits and Fees.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to pass Ordinance 25-03 Amending Chapter 38-1-14 Connection Permits and Fees.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing a title search for 206 N. Jackson St.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize a title search for 206 N. Jackson St.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on authorizing the purchase of a new pool heater from Sycamore Engineering in the amount of $70,217.20. This includes labor and material.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the purchase of a new pool heater from Sycamore Engineering in the amount of $70,217.20. This includes labor and material. Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

9. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing part time summer concession positions to be paid $15/hr. (This is due to the State of Illinois minimum wage increase.) Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize part time summer concession positions to be paid $15/hr. (This is due to the State of Illinois minimum wage increase.)

Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing pool lifeguards and two summer general maintenance positions to be paid $16/hr.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize pool lifeguards and two summer general maintenance positions to be paid $16/hr.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing the Pool Assistant Manager to be paid $17/hr. Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to table authorizing the Pool Assistant Manager to be paid $17/hr. to the April 1, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on authorizing the Pool Manager to be paid $19.50/hr.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to table authorizing the Pool Manager to be paid $19.50/hr. to the April 1, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Wright, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

E. Consider and act on authorizing two city employees to attend the IMEA Conference in Springfield, Illinois on May 15 & 16, 2025. Only cost is hotel plus allowable expenses.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize two city employees to attend the IMEA Conference in Springfield, Illinois on May 15 & 16, 2025. Only cost is hotel plus allowable expenses.

Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Wright

Nays: None

F. Consider and act on authorizing one city employee to attend AIEC Line School in Springfield, Illinois on April 21-25, 2025. Total cost is $800 plus hotel and allowable expenses.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize one city employee to attend AIEC Line School in Springfield, Illinois on April 21-25, 2025. Total cost is $800 plus hotel and allowable expenses.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Lindemann

Nays: None

10. STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: Our crews will be starting work on the pickleball courts out at Peterson Park. Wright: My wife and I are expecting!!

Lindemann: Thanked everyone for attending the election candidate forum. If reelected, his goal will be to lower taxes and demolish the capital development fund. Swick: Shop with a cop is this Friday, March 7 at West End Reception and Events. There are 80 baskets to raffle off. Great time, great food and great fun. Come out! City Attorney: No comments.

City Treasurer: No comments.

City Clerk: Asked the council if the city would be interested in hosting a meeting with our TIF Developer, involving all the taxing bodies and community members. They deferred at this time.

Mayor: Shop with a cop is this Friday, March 7 at West End Event Center from 4PM- 8PM. Last year the fundraiser was able to help 69 children. Let's continue to see this rewarding event grow. Congratulations to Kaleb Wright and his wife! Election day is April 1. Encourage everyone to get out and vote. Our crews will be starting work at Peterson Park for the pickleball courts. Everyone please hang tight and be patient with us as we bring this new recreation to our community.

11. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: March 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM.

12. ADJOURNMENT:

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

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

Meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM.

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/250304-CC-Meeting-Minutes.pdf