East Central Reporter

City of Newton City Council met Oct. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the board.

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM.

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 Mike Swick

Pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Alderman Mike Swick

3. ROLL CALL: Amy Tarr, Deputy 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 Deputy City Clerk Amy Tarr

Absent: 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 September 16, 2025.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2025 meeting of the Newton City Council. Ayes: Wright, Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac Nays: None

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS OR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

• Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM.

Present: RJ Lindemann, Mike Swick, Gayle Glumac, Kaleb Wright, Larry Brooks, Melissa Brooks, Joshua Kuhl, Amy Tarr

Bill Heap and Eric Blake arrived at 5:50 PM.

• TIF application for 8787 Commercial Ave was discussed. It was recommended to approve the application for $68,354.85, 15% of the total cost of the project.

• Dumpster reimbursement application for 801 W Jourdan St was discussed. It was recommended to award $2500.

• Demolition reimbursement application for 501 West End Ave was discussed. It was recommended to reimburse $6682.

• It was recommended to approve a $1000 donation for a mural on the West side of the Farley Building. This donation would come from the Beautification fund. Sewer line fees for 1107 S Van Buren St were discussed. More information is needed. It was tabled until the next council meeting.

• It was recommended that the Earnests be given a 1-year extension on their construction plans at Five Aprils lot.

• Compensation for Harley Gray filling in as Street Department head was discussed. A one-time stipend was recommended. This will be on the October 21, 2025 agenda.

• The furnace at City Hall is 14 years old. During annual maintenance, a hole was detected in the primary heat exchanger. The furnace is under warranty, and will be repaired; however, it was recommended that the City start budgeting for a furnace replacement over the next 2-3 years. A quote of $5,338 will be used for budgeting purposes only.

• It was recommended to install carbon monoxide monitors and smoke detectors at City Hall.

• When Alderman Blake arrived, he suggested asking businesses around the Square to donate to the Eagle mural, reducing the amount the City would pay.

Adjourned at 5:58 PM

Submitted by RJ Lindemann - Chairman

8. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Review and discuss quotes from City Engineer for construction project at the Retention Pond in Five Aprils Subdivision.

a. Quotes were received from T Miller Excavating and Frohning Brothers Inc.

B. Consider and act on awarding quote for construction project at the Retention Pond in Five Aprils Subdivision.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to award the quote for the construction project at the Retention Pond in Five Aprils subdivision to Frohning Brothers Inc in the amount of $11,720. Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing the use of TIF funds for the construction project at the Retention Pond in Five Aprils Subdivision, as recommended by the Street and Alley Committee.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the use of TIF funds for the construction project at the Retention Pond in Five Aprils Subdivision, as recommended by the Street and Alley Committee.

Ayes: Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac, Wright, Brooks Nays: None

D. Consider and act on authorizing the City of Newton to seek bids online at govdeals.com for a 2012 Dodge Charger.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Eric Blake, to authorize the City of Newton to seek bids online at govdeals.com for a 2012 Dodge Charger.

This will run for 14 days, closing October 22, 2025. The City is putting a $2500 reserve on the car.

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

Nays: None

E. Consider and act on authorizing quote to move gas line on the East side of City Hall.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the quote to bury the gas line on the East side of City Hall to Merz in the amount of $2985.

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

Nays: None

F. Consider and act on authorizing the disbursement of funds to Dennis Einhorn in the amount of $6,682 for the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 501 West End Ave.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Eric Blake, to authorize the disbursement of funds to Dennis Einhorn in the amount of $6,682 for the Demolition Reimbursement Application submitted for 501 West End Ave.

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

Nays: None

9. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Discuss new route for water service line at City Hall.

There's a significant water leak at City Hall. It is located outside the building under the concrete parking spaces on the west side of the building. The line will be re-routed along the sidewalk and into the garage along the north side of the building and the first bay area. That area was already budgeted for concrete work this fiscal year. Work will be done in-house.

B. Consider and act on authorizing the TIF Application submitted for 8787 Commercial Ave.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the TIF Application submitted for 8787 Commercial Ave. for 15% of the total project cost, up to the amount of $68,354.85, to be reimbursed yearly based on the incremental tax increase after completion of the project.

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

Nays: None

C. Consider and act on authorizing the Dumpster Reimbursement Application submitted for 801 W. Jourdan St.

Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by RJ Lindemann, to authorize the Dumpster Reimbursement Application submitted for 801 W. Jourdan St. in the amount of $2,500.

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

Nays: None

D. Consider and act on authorizing the waiver of the sewer connection fee for 1007 1107 S. Van Buren St., under incentives of the Enterprise Zone. Motion was made by Kaleb Wright, seconded by Larry Brooks, to table the motion to waive the sewer connection fee for 1107 S. Van Buren St., under incentives of the Enterprise Zone until the October 21, 2025 City Council meeting. More information is needed on this topic.

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

Nays: None

E. Consider and act on authorizing a one time donation of $1,000 for an Eagle Mural to be painted by Stang Arts on the West side of the Farley Insurance Building.

This item died for lack of motion.

F. Consider and act on authorizing the City Attorney to proceed with a Joint Pole Use Agreement between the City of Newton and Frontier.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to authorize the City Attorney to proceed with a Joint Pole Use Agreement between the City of Newton and Frontier.

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

Nays: None

G. Consider and act on authorizing the quote to Nussmeyer Tree Service, LLC in the amount of $11,500 for the removal of two trees in the open alley running North and South behind 405 S. Walnut St. and 407 S. Walnut St., as recommended by the Electric Committee.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the quote to Nussmeyer Tree Service, LLC in the amount of $11,500 for the removal of two trees in the open alley running North and South behind 405 S. Walnut St. and 407 S. Walnut St., as recommended by the Electric Committee.

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

Nays: None

H. Consider and act on authorizing a one-year extension request to begin new construction on Lot 4 in Five Aprils Subdivision.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize a one-year extension request to begin October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026 for new construction on Lot 4 in Five Aprils Subdivision.

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

Nays: None

1. Consider and act on authorizing SCIRPDC to assist with an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant.

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize SCIRPDC to assist with an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant.

Ayes: Brooks, Lindemann, Blake, Swick, Glumac

Nays: None

J. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application submitted by

the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce for Scare on the Square Trick-or- Treat Event to be held on the Newton Square Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM.

Motion was made by Larry Brooks, seconded by Gayle Glumac, to authorize the Special Event Application submitted by the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce for Scare on the Square Trick-or-Treat Event to be held on the Newton Square Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM.

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

Nays: None

K. Consider and act on authorizing the Special Event Application submitted by First Baptist Church for a Trunk-or-Treat Event to be held at the First Baptist Church with the South Alley and West Alley closed from 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM on Friday, October 31, 2025.

Motion was made by Gayle Glumac, seconded by Mike Swick, to authorize the Special Event Application submitted by First Baptist Church for a Trunk-or-Treat Event to be held at the First Baptist Church with the South Alley and West Alley closed from 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM on Friday, October 31, 2025.

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

Nays: None

10. STATEMENTS BY:

Glumac: I encourage everyone to attend Scare on the Square. This is another well planned, nice event put on by the Chamber of Commerce. Take your kids and go enjoy the day.

Wright: Police applicants will have their power tests Saturday, October 11. Once we have those results, we will schedule another Police Committee meeting to decide who will be sent to the next level of tests.

Brooks: No comment.

Lindemann: I apologize to the City of Newton for not being at the police interviews. This is important to the City, and I regret not being there.

It is my opinion the Capital Development Fund should be abolished and lower property taxes.

Blake: No comment.

Swick: No comment.

City Attorney: No comment.

City Treasurer: No comment.

Deputy City Clerk: The PO for the Park Department was not entertained because we did not have an exact amount for the purchase order. More information will be obtained and this will appear as an action item on the October 21, 2025 agenda.

The TIF funded water main replacement project on E Reynolds St is going out for bids. Bids need to be submitted to City Hall at 108 N Van Buren by 8 AM, Thursday, October 30, 2025 because the bid opening will be at 9 AM, Thursday, October 30, 2025 at City Hall. This will be an action item on the October 21, 2025 agenda. We didn't learn about it until 3 PM Friday, October 3, 2025 and it was too late to include it on tonight's agenda.

Mayor: I want to give a shout out to Newton Police Officer Mike Hall, Police Chief Riddle and Cobblestone Hotel staff for the largest ever drug bust here in the City of Newton. I also appreciate the Jasper County State's Attorney's office and Jasper County Sheriff's Department with their assistance. Thank you. Well done. I have no doubt lives have been saved because these drugs are off the streets.

The 2025 Homecoming parade is Friday, October 10 at 2:30 PM. I want to welcome the 50-Year Class Reunion back and hope everyone has a good time reconnecting.

We have received a little rainfall, but it is still extremely dry. There isn't a burn ban in place right now, but I'd ask residents to use caution and be smart if they have to burn anything.

Leaf pick up will begin November 3. If you have leaves raked that need vacuumed, call City Hall and we will be around to get them all throughout the month of November. Watch Facebook for additional details on that program. The brush dump is also open. Please remember trash bags are not allowed. If you take leaves there, dump them out of the bag.

Finally, thank you to the community for participating in the Fall Clean Up. Both dumpsters - at Dufrain Park and behind City Hall - were completely full. It was nice to see junk being thrown away.

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

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS: No committee meetings are scheduled at this time.

12. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Motion was made by RJ Lindemann, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to go out of open session and into closed session to discuss personnel and sale of real estate pursuant to the exceptions section of the Open Meetings Act pertaining to those areas of discussion.

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

Nays: None

Open session suspended at 6:40 PM.

Motion was made by Mike Swick, seconded by Kaleb Wright, to go out of closed session and back into open session.

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

Nays: None

Open session resumed at 7:40 PM.

Mayor Kuhl announced that during closed session the council discussed personnel and sale of real estate.

13. 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 7:41 PM.

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/251007-CC-Meeting-Minutes.pdf