East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met April 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 Gayle Glumac.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Gayle Glumac.

3. ROLL CALL: Maggie McDonald, City Clerk

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

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

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to adopt the proposed agenda.

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

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of April 1, 2025.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to approve the minutes of the April 1, 2025 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 $246,868.77 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 $222,778.78. Kaleb Wright seconded the motion.

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

Nays: None

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS: John Stone: Updated council on the last zoning meeting. The board will be looking into making changes to the Zoning Code in regards to allowing duplexes in an SR-1 zoning district and stipulations to storage buildings, as well as upcoming amendments to the zoning map. The retention pond South of Five Aprils Subdivision and the flooding issues were discussed. Councilman Swick and Mr. Stone will be setting a meeting in the near future to discuss remedies for this problem. Will be going out for construction bids on the pickleball courts at Peterson Park at the end of the month. Hope for construction to begin in June.

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Electric Committee Meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM. Electric Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, April 7, 2025 5:30 PM – 6:20 PM

Present: Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Kaleb Wright, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake, Larry Brooks, Matt Tarr, Amy Tarr, Brenda Phillips, Tyler Weber, Maggie McDonald and Melissa Brooks

Meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM.

• The committee has received feedback from the rate study that was done this past fall/winter. It was recommended for residential customers to go to a one tier rate and commercial customers will now have a 2-tier rate. For commercial customers, the first 1000 kwh will be one rate, anything over will be a lower rate. Both residential and commercial customers will have a meter charge implemented. Most customers should see a decrease in monthly utility bill.

• The industrial rate incentive will remain equal to the city’s rate for the first five years in business, as long as stipulations are met. Year 6 will generate a change in rate tiers. If the business would fail to meet the obligations, Mayor or council will make a determination to remove them from the industrial rate incentive. The industrial rate does include a monthly meter charge.

• Changes to landlord responsibilities to renters’ unpaid utility bills was established.

• Matt will have a purchase order on the next council agenda to Invision’s Inc. for yearly mandatory oil sample analysis and infrared testing.

Meeting adjourned at 6:20 PM.

Submitted by:

Gayle Glumac – Chairman

• Park, Cemetery and Pool Committee Meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025 immediately following the Electric Committee Meeting.

Park, Cemetery and Pool Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, April 7, 2025 6:20 PM – 6:35 PM Present: Gayle Glumac, Joshua Kuhl, Kaleb Wright, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake, Maggie McDonald, Melissa Brooks, Matt Tarr, Tyler Weber and Mike Schackmann

Meeting was called to order at 6:20 PM.

• Glumac gave update on the pickleball courts at Peterson Park. Trees and equipment are cleared. Will hopefully be submitting bids very soon and construction will be underway.

• Constructing a dog park at Dufrain Park was discussed. The committee will be investigating the framework and stipulations that it would all entail to bring this asset to our community.

• They are coming to lay the concrete pad for the new heater this week. New heater is going to be installed April 28.

Meeting adjourned at 6:35 PM.

Submitted by:

Gayle Glumac – Chairman

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025 immediately following the Park, Cemetery and Pool Committee Meeting.

Finance/Audit Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, April 7, 2025 6:35 PM – 8:18 PM Present: RJ Lindemann, Melissa Brooks, Kaleb Wright, Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks, Eric Blake, Joshua Kuhl, Maggie McDonald, Tyler Weber and Amy Tarr

Meeting called to order at 6:35 PM.

• Demolition reimbursement for Dennis Einhorn was discussed. It was recommended to award $8,500 for the demolition of the building at 501 West End Ave.

• Budgets were discussed for fiscal year 2025-2026. They will be on the agenda for the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:18 PM.

9. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds for the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 109 Goble St. in the amount of $15,000.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the disbursement of funds for the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 109 Goble St. in the amount of $15,000. 

Ayes: Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks

Nays: Lindemann

B. Consider and act on authorizing the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 501 West End Ave.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 501 West End Ave.

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

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 25-04 Amending Chapter 11 Electric System, 11-1-1 Service Charges, 11-1-2 Bill and Payment Charges and 11-3- 1 Incentive Established. This includes adding meter charges and changing tiers within the rates. Changes take effect May 1, 2025.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to pass Ordinance 25-04 Amending Chapter 11 Electric System, 11-1-1 Service Charges, 11-1-2 Bill and Payment Charges and 11-3-1 Incentive Established. This includes adding meter charges and changing tiers within the rates. Changes take effect May 1, 2025.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks

Nays: Lindemann, Blake

D. Consider and act on authorizing the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget.

Ayes: Glumac, Wright, Brooks, Blake

Nays: Lindemann

Abstain: Swick

10.NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing the city attorney to prepare a notice for the city to withdrawal its participation in the November 18, 2008

Intergovernmental Agreement for Facilitation of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act Between the County of Jasper and the City of Newton, Illinois. Effective April 30, 2026.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the city attorney to prepare a notice for the city to withdrawal its participation in the November 18, 2008 Intergovernmental Agreement for Facilitation of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act Between the County of Jasper and the City of Newton, Illinois. Effective April 30, 2026.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake

Nays: Swick, Glumac

B. Consider and act on passing Resolution 25-03 Resolution for MFT Street Maintenance Program.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to pass Resolution 25-03 Resolution for MFT Street Maintenance Program.

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

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing the Estimate for Maintenance Costs for the MFT Street Maintenance Program (annual general maintenance supplies). Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the Estimate for Maintenance Costs for the MFT Street Maintenance Program (annual general maintenance supplies).

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

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on authorizing the Maintenance Engineering Agreement for the MFT Street Maintenance Program.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the Maintenance Engineering Agreement for the MFT Street Maintenance Program.

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

Nays: None

11.STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: Happy Easter and safe travels.

Wright: No comments.

Brooks: No comments.

Lindemann: Presented utility adjustments. Voted no on the budget because this round of budgets makes no progress toward ending the subsidization of our utility departments. Wants to abolish the Capital Development Fund and lower taxes. Blake: Thanked Melissa for all her work on the budgets. Happy Easter. Swick: Happy Easter.

City Attorney: No comments.

City Treasurer: Presented the following appropriation changes:

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to make the three (3) following appropriation changes:

General Fund

1. Street to move $200 from the Contingency Fund (9000-22) to Computer Maintenance (5212-22).

General Administration

2. General Administration to move $49,000 from the Contingency Fund (9000-27) to Building Improvements (5560-27).

3. General Administration to move $200 from the Contingency Fund (9000-27) to Building Repair (5630-27).

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

Nays: None

Happy Easter.

City Clerk: (3 PO’s)

1. Electric Department PO# 32-30 to Invizions, Inc. for oil sample analysis for $5,530 and infrared testing for $1,850 for a total amount of $7,380.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the Electric Department PO# 32-30 to Invizions, Inc. for oil sample analysis for $5,530 and infrared testing for $1,850 for a total amount of $7,380.

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

Nays: None

2. Park Department PO# 1592 to McCreery Trucking, Inc. for 231 tons of CA-7 rock at $22.50 per ton for a total amount of $5,197.50.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the Park Department PO# 1592 to McCreery Trucking, Inc. for 231 tons of CA-7 rock at $22.50 per ton for a total amount of $5,197.50.

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

Nays: None

3. Police Department PO# 62094 to Flock Safety for the purchase of license plate readers in the amount of $8,500.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the Police Department PO# 62094 to Flock Safety for the purchase of license plate readers in the amount of $8,500.

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

Nays: None

Informed council of the quote received from Judy McClure for the Old Mill Bridge Signs. Still waiting on one more quote.

Mayor: Big thank you to Brent, Lane, Adam and Carson for their work last weekend with all the rain. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can really do to prepare when this much rain happens, so I appreciate them for getting out when needed. Appreciate Amy Tarr for dealing with city business on the weekends. Thank you to Melissa, her team and the Department Heads for all their timely work put into budgets. I received a letter from IDOT informing us the State would be resurfacing the highway from the Effingham County line to West End Avenue mid to late summer. I wish everyone safe travels this weekend and hope you have a Happy Easter.

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

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 5:30 PM.

13.EXECUTIVE SESSION: None

14.ADJOURNMENT:

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

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

Nays: None

Meeting adjourned at 6:59 PM.

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/250415-UN-CC-Meeting-Minutes-1.pdf