East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met May 20.

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, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann and Mike Swick

Also present: Treasurer Melissa Brooks and City Clerk Maggie McDonald Absent: Alderman Kaleb Wright, Alderman Eric Blake and Attorney William Heap

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:

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

Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of May 6, 2025.

Motion was made by Larry Brooks, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Alderman Lindemann reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $233,171.37 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 $208,394.22. Mike Swick seconded the motion.

Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS: None 9. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing the Police Department to hire another officer. Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize tabling the Police Department to hire another officer to the June 17, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Brooks

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing the estimate from Borgic Designs to purchase 3 new signs for the Old Mill Bridge and 2 new signs for the ERBA Head Start School in the amount of $320.00.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the estimate from Borgic Designs to purchase 3 new signs for the Old Mill Bridge and 2 new signs for the ERBA Head Start School in the amount of $320.00.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing the city attorney to proceed forward preparing Ordinance for 311 S. Jackson St. to condemn an unsafe and dangerous building.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the city attorney to proceed forward preparing Ordinance for 311 S. Jackson St. to condemn an unsafe and dangerous building.

Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 25-06 Amending Chapter 1-1-20(A) Penalty. Any person convicted of Code violations shall be fined not less than $200 and no more than $750 for any one offense.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Larry Brooks, to pass Ordinance 25-06 Amending Chapter 1-1-20(A) Penalty. Any person convicted of Code violations shall be fined not less than $200 and no more than $750 for any one offense.

Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

E. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 25-07 Prohibiting Storage of Junk and Other Miscellaneous Items.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to pass Ordinance 25-07 Prohibiting Storage of Junk and Other Miscellaneous Items.

Ayes: Lindemann, Swick, Glumac, Brooks

Nays: None

10.NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing the hire of Evan Johnson and Caitlyn Schmidt for the two part time general maintenance positions.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the hire of Evan Johnson and Caitlyn Schmidt for the two part time general maintenance positions with a start date of May 27, 2025.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing an additional time extension request to begin new construction on Lot 18 in Five Aprils Subdivision.

Motion was made by Larry Brooks, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize an additional one year time extension request to begin April 1, 2025 to April 1, 2026 for new construction on Lot 18 in Five Aprils Subdivision.

Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing the Final Pay Estimate #4 to Kieffer Bros. Construction Co., Inc., in the amount of $19,028.58, for work on the water main replacement project on S. Van Buren Street.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the Final Pay Estimate #4 to Kieffer Bros., Construction Co., Inc., in the amount of $19,028.58, for work on the TIF funded water main replacement project on S. Van Buren Street.

Ayes: Brooks, Swick, Glumac, Kuhl

Nays: Lindemann

D. Consider and act on authorizing the Final Invoice to Stone and Waggoner, PLLC, in the amount of $15,935.36, for work on the water main replacement project on S. Van Buren Street.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the Final Invoice to Stone and Waggoner PLLC, in the amount of $15,935.36, for work on the TIF funded water main replacement project on S. Van Buren Street.

Ayes: Swick, Glumac, Brooks, Kuhl

Nays: Lindemann

11.STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: Thursday is the Strong Boys Strong Girls Fun Run at 8:45 AM. Girls will run first, then the boys. The last day of school is Friday. There will be lots of kids out and about, so everyone please stay cautious.

Brooks: No comments.

Lindemann: My removal as finance chairman is a clear indicator of the mayor’s desire to distance himself from my proposed property tax plans, as well as my economic development policies. I will continue to be a strong opponent of mishandled or uninvestigated spending, and an opponent of law bending of any kind, especially when it comes to city incentive dollars. That said, I look forward to serving the city in my new capacities. It is my opinion that the capital development fund should be abolished, and we should cut property taxes by 25%. I would also like to wish everyone a Happy

Memorial Day as we remember everyone who served in defense of our freedoms. Everyone should all attend the IGA grand opening this Saturday. Presented the utility adjustments to council.

Swick: Everyone have a safe and Happy Memorial Day. Be sure to keep in mind all those who gave everything for this country.

City Treasurer: Congratulations to all the graduates. Everyone have a Happy Memorial Day. Auditors will be here the week of June 9.

City Clerk: Newton Foods Grand Opening will be on Saturday from 10 AM -1 PM. They have invited you all to come for the ribbon cutting at 10 AM. They will be serving brats, hot dogs and pork chop sandwiches. Volunteers are needed to help run the grill. If you are able to help, please arrive by 9:30 AM. Have a Happy Memorial Day weekend.

Mayor: The last day of school is Friday. The Newton Pool will open on Saturday with a true kick off to the summer. May not be the best swimming weather, but I am sure some will be out enjoying the water thanks to the new pool heater the city has purchased. This Thursday is the Strong Boys Strong Girls Fun Run. Starts at 8:45 AM. The community always does a great job of supporting this event, so I ask everyone to continue to come out and show their support. They will leave the school going North past the Freeze. Turn at City Hall and continue North out to the Eagle Trail and back. Newton Foods Grand Opening is this Saturday. Come out and show your support. Lastly, I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Memorial Day. Don’t forget the reason why we honor and celebrate this day in May.

John Stone: The MFT bid letting was held yesterday at City Hall. The awarded bids will be on the next council agenda for approval. The pickleball bid packets are getting close to being ready to go out. I see no issues with project on Scott Ave. Just need to submit plans to Josh Ochs before any action is taken. There is a grant opportunity for streets. I have submitted information over to SCIRPDC for the application.

12.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: June 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: None

13.EXECUTIVE SESSION: None

14.ADJOURNMENT:

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

Ayes: Glumac, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick

Nays: None

Meeting adjourned at 6:29 PM.

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/250520-UN-CC-Meeting-Minutes.pdf