East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met June 17.

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, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake and Mike Swick

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

4. ADOPT OR AMEND AGENDA:

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

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

Nays: None

5. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MINUTES of June 3, 2025.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to approve the minutes of the June 3, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council.

Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

Abstain: Blake

6. APPROVAL OF BILLS & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Alderman Wright reviewed the pre-paids in the amount of $201,968.49 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 $83,704.32. RJ Lindemann seconded the motion.

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

Nays: None

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Police and Building Permit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM. (Waiting on minutes)

• Building and Grounds Committee Meeting on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM.

Building and Grounds Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, June 16, 2025 6:00 PM – 7:04 PM Present: Joshua Kuhl, Maggie McDonald, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, RJ Lindemann, Eric Blake, Mike Swick, Melissa Brooks, John Stone, Mark Bolander and Lucas Bolander

Meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.

• Mark and Lucas Bolander discussed with the council their potential in expansion of their business. They are interested in property the city currently owns.

• Any property the city owns has to go out for bids.

Meeting adjourned at 7:04 PM.

Submitted by: Mike Swick – Chairman

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM. (Waiting on minutes)

9. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Consider and act on authorizing the Police Department to hire another officer. Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize tabling the Police Department to hire another officer to the July 15 meeting of the Newton City Council.

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

Nays: None

B. Consider and act on authorizing the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 509 Stevens St.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 509 Stevens St. up to $15,000 as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee Meeting.

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

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on passing Ordinance 25-10 To Condemn an Unsafe and Dangerous Building at 311 S. Jackson St., Newton, Illinois.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Larry Brooks, to pass Ordinance 25-10 To Condemn an Unsafe and Dangerous Building at 311 S. Jackson St., Newton, Illinois.

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

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on authorizing the city attorney to proceed forward preparing Ordinance to condemn an unsafe and dangerous building at 805 Foster St.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the city attorney to proceed forward preparing Ordinance to condemn an unsafe and dangerous building at 805 Foster St.

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

Nays: None

10.STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: The pool is doing really well and everyone is having fun. It seems like it is either packed or raining. Pickleball crews are ready for the new courts!

Wright: Presented utility adjustments.

Brooks: Horrible to see the loss of the Dollar General Store but hope they rebuild.

Lindemann: Would like to abolish the Capital Development Fund and lower property taxes by twenty-five percent.

Blake: No Comments

Swick: Congratulations to the Eagles Elite age twelve and under softball team. They won the State Championship game over the weekend up in Mattoon. Those girls did a great job.

City Attorney: No Comments.

City Treasurer: Auditors were here all last week and through today. They hope to have the audit completed sooner than last year. We will just need to get a Finance Meeting scheduled to discuss appropriations.

City Clerk: No Comments.

Mayor: Send deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Cleve Bradley. The Fourth of July is right around the corner. Everyone stay safe and enjoy your 4th. The Jasper County Fair kicks off next week. Be sure to get out and visit the county fair. 11.NEXT REGULAR MEETING: July 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM.

• Water and Wastewater Committee Meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025 immediately following the Finance and Audit Committee Meeting.

12.EXECUTIVE SESSION: None

13.ADJOURNMENT:

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

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

Nays:

Meeting adjourned at 6:18 PM.

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/250617-UN-CC-Meeting-Minutes.pdf