City of Galena City Council met March 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
26C-0088 – CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Renner called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Chambers at 101 Green Street on 09 March 2026.
26C-0089 – ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Johnson, Petitgout, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
Absent: Gates
26C-0090 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Mayor Renner announced a quorum of board members present to conduct city business.
26C-0091 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
26C-0092 – REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
No reports.
26C-0093 – CITIZENS COMMENTS
None.
LIQUOR COMMISSION
Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Johnson, to adjourn as the City Council and reconvene as the Liquor Commission.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Petitgout, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Gates
The motion carried.
26C-0094 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE RENEWAL OF CURRENT LIQUOR LICENSES FOR THE PERIOD MAY 1, 2026, THROUGH APRIL 30, 2027
Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve the renewal of current liquor licenses for the period May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027, contingent upon complete applications, 26C-0094.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Petitgout, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Johnson, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Gates
The motion carried.
Motion: Petitgout moved, seconded by Wienen, to adjourn as the Liquor Commission and reconvene as the City Council.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Johnson, Petitgout, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Gates
The motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA CA26-05
26C-0095 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 23, 2026
26C-0096 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY GALENA DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION FOR VARIOUS 2026 EVENTS
26C-0097 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY BLACKHAWK AREA COUNCIL FOR A PARADE DURING THE U.S. GRANT PILGRIMAGE ON APRIL 25, 2026
26C-0098 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY SUSIE DROESSLER TO SERVE AS THE MARKET MANAGER FOR THE GALENA FARMERS’ MARKET, SATURDAY MORNINGS, MAY 1-OCTOBER 31, 2026
26C-0099 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE JO DAVIESS CONSERVATION FOUNDATION TO PLACE INTERPRETIVE SIGNS AT GATEWAY PARK AND ALONG THE GALENA RIVER TRAIL IN MEMORY OF DR. GREGG PAINTER
26C-0070 – APPROVAL OF THE EMERGENCY WELL #7 MOTOR AND PUMP ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT REQUEST FOR UPDATED AUTHORIZATION
Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve Consent Agenda CA26-05.
Discussion: Tegtmeyer noted the holiday kickoff date is Saturday, November 28th, the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. She expressed appreciation for the signs to be installed in Gateway Park in memory of Dr. Greg Painter.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Johnson, Petitgout, Tegtmeyer, RennerNAYS: None
ABSENT: Gates
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
26C-0100 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A CONTRACT FOR A NEW FIRE ENGINE FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The following bids were received:
Company | Base Bid | Pre-Pay Discount | Final Cost after Pre-Pay | Delivery Time (mos.) |
Custom Fire Apparatus | $1,193,981.63 | $47,759.63 | $1,146,222.00 | 20 |
Pierce Fire Apparatus | $1,170,000.00 | $80,121.00 | $1,089,879.00 | 28-31 |
Motion: Petitgout moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the contract for a new fire engine for the fire department with Custom Fire Apparatus in the amount of $1,193,981.63, 26C-0100.
Discussion: Mayor Renner noted the proposal from Custom Fire Apparatus is for a custom-built fire engine, allowing it to be tailored to fit in the firehouse.
Council discussed the pre-pay discount and determined that not paying the full cost upfront makes financial sense because the city is currently earning favorable returns on bank investments.
A question was raised regarding the plan to sell the current fire engine on the open market and setting a minimum bid. Chief Conley explained that typically the department tries to sell the engine to another department in need and that a minimum price may not be set because older engines do not have a high resale value. The department does not yet have an asking price and will research pricing. Conley advised it would be about a year and a half before the sale takes place.
Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Johnson, Petitgout, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Gates
The motion carried.
26C-0101 – SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF MUNICIPALLY OWNED PERSONAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING A 2018 JOHN DEERE 524 LOADER
Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve the second reading of an ordinance authorizing the sale of municipally owned personal property, including a 2018 John Deere 524 loader for a minimum bid of $110,000, 26C-0101.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Petitgout, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Gates
The motion carried.
26C-0102 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON 2026-27 ARCHERY DEER HUNTING PROGRAM AND ACCEPTANCE OF 2025-26 YEAR END REPORT
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Petitgout, to approve the 2026-27 Archery Deer Hunting Program and acceptance of the 2025-2026 year-end report, 26C-0102.
Discussion: Westemeier expressed concerns about the small number of deer harvested this year and expressed hope that future efforts would yield higher numbers. He recommended bringing a drone in to determine how many deer we have.
Council noted that deer are increasingly visible within town, particularly Franklin Street and Field Street. A suggestion was made to open deer hunting opportunities to more participants if current hunters are unable to hunt.
Renner explained that state regulations and guidance from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) limit where hunting can occur and what actions the city can take. There are currently limited approved hunting areas, and the city recently lost one location due to a property owner withdrawing permission. The city has previously conducted a thorough review of locations, considering distance requirements from residential areas and other safety restrictions, leaving few additional viable sites.
Tegtmeyer suggested alternative approaches, such as finding ways to encourage deer to move out of town toward wooded areas, rather than expanding hunting zones within the city.
Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Petitgout, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Gates
The motion carried.
26C-0103 – WARRANTS
Motion: Petitgout moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer to approve the Warrants as presented, 26C 0103.
Discussion: None.
Amended
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Petitgout, to amend the motion to exclude the warrants to Rusty Montgomery and Matt Wienen.
Discussion: Council members discussed whether smartwatches purchased by two employees should be reimbursed through the uniform allowance. They questioned whether a smartwatch qualifies as a uniform accessory under the union contract, which allows reimbursement for uniforms and necessary accessories. Bingham noted the watches could help employees receive notifications without carrying their phones while working in the field. Concerns were raised about setting a precedent for reimbursing for two devices. It was clarified that the city pays for phone service but not for the phones themselves. Council agreed that the issue should be researched further by staff and the union to determine whether smartwatches should be included under the uniform allowance.
Amended
Motion
Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Johnson, Petitgout, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Gates
ABSTAIN: Wienen
The motion carried.
Main
Motion
Roll Call: AYES: Petitgout, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Johnson, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Gates
ABSTAIN: Wienen
The motion carried.
26C-0104 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS
Spring – Westemeier stated spring has arrived and it is his hope that we can get some sidewalks and streets done this year.
Sidewalk Plan – Wienen stated she would love to see what has been worked up for this year.
Kids Playing – Johnson remined everyone with warmer weather and longer days kids will be playing outside so it is important to drive accordingly.
Thank you – Tegtmeyer thanked everyone who came out for the Jo Daviess County Empowerment Alliance meeting on February 24th.
Welcome – Tegtmeyer welcomed new city engineer, Bryson Winsky.
Halloween Parade – Tegtmeyer reminded everyone the Halloween parade will be held on Halloween this year. The Galena Area Chamber of Commerce needs eighty volunteers to help make this happen smoothly, spread the word.
26C-0105 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
No report.
26C-0106 – MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Renner stated that he met with Bryson this morning, and Bryson will be at the next meeting. He encouraged everyone to stop by to meet him. The proposed budget is expected to be released next week. Renner also noted the city was not included in this year’s lead line grant, but efforts are ongoing for the grant on Franklin Street.
26C-0107– ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Johnson moved, seconded by Wienen, to adjourn.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Petitgout, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Johnson, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Gates
The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/Council_Packet_03_6F67AA05CA125.pdf
