City of Galena Council met Aug. 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
18C-0287 – 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 13 August 2018.
18C-0288 – ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Lincoln, Westemeier, Renner
18C-0289 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.
18C-0290– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
18C-0291 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEE
Turner Hall Committee – A meeting was held on August 2nd. The next meeting will be September 6, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. at Turner Hall. There was a problem with a sprinkler pipe. Blackhawk Sprinkler replaced it today at a cost of $250. The front foyer tile work will commence the third week in August. Alderman Lincoln will be ripping up the tile and replacing it. There has been an issue with the floor buckling due to moisture. It has been discovered that operating both air conditioning units is too much and is not reducing the moisture. One air conditioning unit is running now and things seem better.
18C-0292 – CITIZENS COMMENTS
Roger Hervey, 802 Shadow Bluff Drive – Hervey, along with others present, urged the Council to support the City Engineer’s recommendation to resurface Shadow Bluff Drive.
Nancy Breed – U.S. Grant Museum – Breed urged the Council to consider the temporary special use permit for the new “Portfolio Tasting” event to be held May 18, 2019 at 403 S. Main Street. She added they are making an ongoing effort to find new audiences and bring business to Main Street.
Brian Taylor, Galena River Wine & Cheese – Taylor advised the event will be done in a similar style as Wine Lover’s Weekend. It will be a “Portfolio Tasting” of wines from his shop. The gate admission will benefit the Historical Society.
Kim Monk, 108 N. Dodge Street – Monk advised he was speaking as a proxy on behalf of Linmar Gardens. Monk thanked the City Council for approving them as a deer culling site. This is important to them as it is not only their private property but a public garden as well. Lots of tourists come and look at it. There is a high concentration of deer on their property. They are willing to work with the City in every way to make sure this works. Monk stated when you consider the time that went into this from forming the committee to making the final decision; it took a lot of hoops to jump through. The City listened to concerns and found the information. He feels at some point in the process it is up to the city leaders to vote and say what is going to happen. When that happens, it is time for the complaints to be over. He noted going forward there is going to be some problems just like in any adventure. He encourages those who were opposed not to scream and say “I told you so”. We need to deal with this like adults and not complicate the process. Monk thanked, Alderwoman Bernstein, for voting in favor. He noted in the beginning she was initially opposed. After reasonable debate, she represented the people and voted in favor.
CONSENT AGENDA CA18-15
18C-0293 – APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 23, 2018
18C-0294 – APPROVAL OF AN APPLICATION BY THE GALENA-JODAVIESS HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR A TEMPORARY USE PERMIT FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL PORTFOLIO TASTING EVENT, MAY 18, 2019, 403 SOUTH MAIN STREET
18C-0295 – APPROVAL OF A PROPERTY DAMAGE RELEASE AND PAYMENT FOR A SEWER BACK-UP AT 310 PARK AVENUE
18C-0296 – APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER #1 TO GRANT PARK OVAL GARDEN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT
18C-0297 – APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT BA19-01
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve Consent Agenda, CA18-15.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Lincoln, Westemeier, Bernstein, Renner NAYS: None
The motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
18C-0247 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON REQUEST BY GALENA FOUNDATION TO ENACT AN ORDINANCE REGARDING DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Westemeier, to deny the request by the Galena Foundation to enact an ordinance regarding demolition by neglect.
Discussion: Bernstein appreciates the concern by the Galena Foundation for historic preservation in Galena. However, as she compared the existing ordinance with what they are suggesting, it is in line with what we already have.
Hahn agreed stating he doesn’t want the city to become landowners in Galena with a bunch of falling down houses.
Bernstein suggested if the Galena Foundation has any concerns with a particular part of the ordinance they could come back and request an adjustment to that.
Westemeier agreed no one has a problem with historic preservation. The Council puts their trust into city staff that they will make the right decisions and will keep following up on buildings in disarray. He recommended raising the minimum fine to $50 or $100.
Fach feels they have it delineated a little clearer than what is currently on the books. They too called for the opportunity to raise the minimum fine.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Lincoln, Westemeier, Bernstein, Hahn, Renner NAYS: Fach
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
18C-0298 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 111 “ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the first reading of an Ordinance amending Chapter 111 “Alcoholic Beverages” of the Code of Ordinances, 18C-0298.
Discussion: Fach feels this is a mistake by the city council. He feels it is out of place for a grocery store, a family establishment, to have this type of operation.
Roll Call: AYES: Lincoln, Westemeier, Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer NAYS: Fach
The motion carried.
18C-0299 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP FOR 701 SOUTH BENCH STREET FROM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
Motion: Lincoln moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the first reading of an ordinance amending the zoning map for 701 South Bench Street from low density residential to neighborhood commercial.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Bernstein, Fach, Hahn Kieffer, Lincoln, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
18C-0300 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON CHANGE ORDER #2 TO GEAR STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR SIDEWALK INSTALLATION
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve Change Order #2 to Gear Street Reconstruction Project for sidewalk installation in the amount of $9,000 using existing savings from the project, 18C-0300.
Discussion: Council agreed it made sense to do at this time.
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Lincoln, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
18C-0301 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON 2019 STREET PAVING CONTRACT
The following bid was received:
| Contractor | Base Bid | Alternate Bid | Total Bid |
| Civil Constructors | $125,452.50 | $81,688.00 | $207,140.50 |
Roll Call: AYES: Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Lincoln, Westemeier, Bernstein, Renner NAYS: None
The motion carried.
18C-0302 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE RENEWAL OF THE GARBAGE AND RECYCLING CONTRACTS WITH MONTGOMERY TRUCKING
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Lincoln, to approve the renewal of the Garbage and Recycling Contracts with Montgomery Trucking.
Discussion: Council noted Montgomery has always been fair to the City in not raising the rates all the time. They are asking for a very moderate increase this time.
Roll Call: AYES: Hahn, Kieffer, Lincoln, Westemeier, Bernstein, Fach, Renner NAYS: None
The motion carried.
18C-0303 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST BY CHARLES FACH FOR CITY PARTICIPATION WITH WATERMAIN INSTALLATION
No action was taken on this item.
18C-0304 – WARRANTS
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Hahn, to approve the Warrants as presented with the addition of a Warrant to Sheraton Dallas Hotel in the amount of $991.25 for travel expenses for the Police Department, 18C-0304.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Lincoln, Westemeier, Bernstein, Fach Hahn, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
18C-0305 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS
Signs – Fach noted there are small signs advising pedestrians to use the tunnel under the Highway 20 Bridge. He noted there is not a crosswalk painted there to get people over to that sign and it is rather dangerous.
Mount Bike Path – Fach feels the City has the opportunity to create a mountain bike situation behind Public Works. He feels that mound would be a neat place to have a trail.
Water Tower – Kieffer advised he has been asked about the status of the water tower on Franklin Street. It is looking rough. He was advised the engineers are working on it.
Glass Recycling - Bernstein stated as a result of the concerns raised about the proposed glass recycling, it has been discovered that they cannot put the holding bin where they initially thought. They are currently looking for another site. The bin recommended is 24x20x8 and needs to be placed on a concrete slab. She is open for suggestions.
Manhole – Westemeier noted the manhole cover at Meeker and Broadway has all kinds of rock cement displaced.
Thank you – Westemeier thanked Louie’s crew for their work in Grant Park. The park is shaping up and once the entrances are done it will look amazing.
Farewell – Lincoln advised this will be his last meeting as a council member. He has sold his house and has had to move out of his ward. He noted Mark, the Mayor and City Staff have done a great job in his 13 plus years on the council. He will miss it.
18C-0306 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Deer Program Update – 12 out of the 13 hunters have qualified. They are all good shots and qualified on the first 3 shots. Staff is currently looking at the 7 private sites approved. The 300 foot border will limit some of those sites. Three of them will be very difficult without consent of surrounding property owners. A form has been developed specifically for property owners to give consent. Those have been circulated to the hunters and hunting site owners. The deadline to receive consent will be September 17, 2018. At that point a letter will be sent to surrounding property owners. It is all coming along nicely. Moran anticipates some hiccups but overall the program is coming together.
Thank you – Moran thanked Lincoln for his work on the Council. 18C-0307 – MAYOR’S REPORT
Alderman Lincoln – Mayor Renner thanked Lincoln for his time served. He will be sadly missed. He served the people of Galena very well.
Trash Containers – The newly painted trash containers look great.
Mountain Bike Path – Renner noted when the dog pound was out there the neighbors
complained about barking dogs. Not sure how they would feel about mountain biking.
18C-0308 - ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Kieffer, to adjourn.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Bernstein, Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Lincoln, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
http://www.cityofgalena.org/documents/filelibrary/side_tabs/agendas__minutes/city_council_minutes/2018/cc081318_4D83B8B82BFE1.pdf
Alerts Sign-up