City of East Dubuque City Council met August 20.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
1. 18-0820 Call to Order – Acting Mayor Steve Robey: Alderman Arling, Alderman Degenhardt, Alderman Digman, Alderman Vanostrand. Absent: Alderman Shireman.
2. 18-0821 Speakers from the Floor
• Kristi Alvarado: Would like to clear up a comment that was made that was taken into context that she may not be open minded or welcoming to different ethnicities coming to the city during the last meeting. States she is not racist, and in fact has a husband of Spanish and Indian descent and their child is also bi-racial. They have hosted foreign exchange students in the past as well. Would like to know why when she added onto her home that she was upheld to the standard of going through the appropriate avenues, but the Airbnb is technically a business and should be zoned to run the business as so. Contacted the county and they stated that if there is no ordinance in place, that the Airbnb cannot operate. Concerned with wayward types staying in the house especially with the human trafficking that is so prevalent. There are no background checks being performed either. East Dubuque is not really considered a destination, what type of people are staying here? There are no additional taxes being given to the city without it being a business.
o Mayor Interim Robey: The city has sent a letter out to cease operations until further notice as this is new territory and they are working very diligently to create a plan that will make everyone at ease.
• Dawn Steplug: In response to Kristi’s claims, background checks are being done by the homeowner. Most all the people that have stayed there are repeat customers who have family in the area and stay for an extended amount of time. The owners have been diligent and contacted the previous City Manager about permits or anything that they would need to have to have their Airbnb in operation. They were told that there was no ordinance to follow and they could proceed. How can the City stop their operations if there is no ordinance in place? As far as taxes go, there is additional revenue in taxes being as it is considered a rental and therefore increases the property tax cost.
• Harlan Nauman: Had contacted the previous city Manager ten years ago concerning the street size in front of his property and the fact that the neighbors across from him installed poles and park their cars and boats along the roadway causing problems for him and his guests trying to enter and exit his driveway. There have been multiple incidents, and nothing is being done. Would like to see the road widened when the city addresses the road.
o Mayor interim Robey: Thank you, this will be addressed quickly, and an agreement will be reached.
• Sandy Luchterhand: Regarding the Airbnb, is trying to be open-minded and felt bad about the comment that was made towards Kristi. Has been doing some research and some cities are not allowing them within their city limits. Is concerned about the people that come and stay for one day, what type of people are they. Feels that this is essentially a business and should be held to the standards of one.
New Business:
3. 18-0822 Presentation and Update Waste Water Treatment Facility Plan Project / Acting Mayor, Sharon Pepin, Adam Holder
• Unable to attend the meeting-will reschedule.
4. 18-0823 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve and Authorize City Clerk to Certify and Publish Annual Treasurer’s Report / Acting Mayor
• Mayor interim Steve Robey read aloud the report to the room.
• Motion made by Alderman Degenhardt to Approve and Authorize City Clerk to Certify and Publish Annual Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Alderman Digman, 5 ayes, motion carried.
5. 18-0824 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Purchase of Arcserve UDP V6.5 Advance Edition Server and Yearly Maintenance Fee / Acting Mayor ROLL CALL
• Mayor interim Robey- has been looking into the cost of getting iPad or something like it for the Alderman to use that would be connected to the City’s server for email communications or anything that would be of sensitive material being as the use of personal emails is of no guarantee. This second quote pertaining to this is not being asked to vote on tonight, but to look at and to take into consideration and have some discussion.
• Alderman Arling- Has there been any other quotes? The protocol has always been to have 3 quotes. Would like to table until more quotes are brought in.
• Alderman Vanostrand-Trusts Steve High and would like to continue with his services.
• Motion made by Alderman Vanostrand to accept both options and Approve Purchase of Arcserve UDP V6.5 Advance Edition Server and Yearly Maintenance Fee, seconded by Alderman Degenhardt, 4 ayes, 1 nay (Alderman Arling) ROLL CALL: Alderman Arling, Nay, Alderman Degenhardt, Aye, Alderman Digman, Aye, Alderman Vanostrand, Aye. Absent: Alderman Shireman.
6. 18-0825 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Purchase of Guard Rail for Tomahawk Drive / Acting Mayor, Public Works Director Fluhr ROLL CALL
• Public works Director Mark Fluhr-would like to table to investigate other options as this is quite expensive.
• Motion to Table made by Alderman Vanostrand, seconded by Alderman Degenhardt; 5 ayes, motion carried.
7. 18-0826 Discussion Only Squad Car Replacement Options / Acting Mayor, Police Chief O’Connell
• Mayor interim Robey- This is a discussion item only.
• Police Chief O’Connell- There are 3 options from Runde and the one that fits in the price range and is most desirable from previous experience is the 2018 Ford Explorer. Easier for transport as well as transfer of equipment. The money that is in the funds allocated for this purchase will cover most of the costs.
Council & Committee Reports:
8. 18-0827 Staff Reports: Acting Mayor Report, Alderman Report
• Alderman Report:
o Alderman Robey: Thanks to everyone for participating in these meetings. Looking into the outdated policies and continued education training.
o Alderman Digman: Nice job to public works for patching the pot holes on Sherwood.
Committee Reports: Ordinance, Budget, Local Improvements, Planning, Civil Service, and Utilities Committee
• Planning Committee to meet 8/27/18 at 6pm.
9. 18-0828 Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 8-13-2018, Public Safety Report(s), Warrants, Zoning, and Correspondence)
• Motion made by Alderman Vanostrand to Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 8-13-2018, Public Safety Report(s), Warrants, Zoning, and Correspondence), seconded by Alderman Digman; 5 ayes, motion carried.
10. 18-0829 Executive Session: Personnel Section 2(c)(1) Employee Hiring, Firing, Compensation, Discipline and Performance, Purchase or Lease of Real Estate Section 2(c)(5), Deliberations of Quasi-Adjudicative Bodies Section 2(c)4, ROLL CALL
• No Executive Session.
11. 18-0830 Any Action to be Taken from Discussion in Executive Session None
12. 18-0831 Adjourn
• Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Vanostrand, seconded by Alderman Arling; 5 ayes, motion carried. Adjourned at 6:55pm
http://www.cityofeastdubuque.com/documents/
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