City of Galena Council met Aug. 27.
Here is the agenda provided by the Council:
18C-0309 – 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 27 August 2018.
18C-0310 – ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Renner
Absent: Bernstein
18C-0311 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.
18C-0312– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
18C-0313 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEE
Turner Hall – Louie’s Trenching installed a solid subbase for the tile. The tile will be put down in a few days. The removal of the tile was a lot more involved than originally anticipated. Louie’s Trenching saved the day.
18C-0314 – CITIZENS COMMENTS
Paul Pendola, 306 S. Prospect Street – Pendola advised he owns property at both 306 S. Prospect Street and 420 S. High Street. The High Street property is directly next to the Linmar Gardens. Pendola is not in support of the deer culling program at Linmar Gardens because of the proximity to residential and tourist population. His main concern is what happens to an animal that is injured and runs on to his property or a tourist sees an injured deer, takes photographs and it ends up on social media. He feels that would be a significant publication problem for the city. Pendola was not in favor of the deer culling program.
Anna Hemm, 226 S. High Street – Hemm stated she too is against the deer culling. She is distressed because of the fear that she will have injured deer running across her yard. The hunting season is also during luminaria. She feels there is a lot that can be done to prevent accidents on Highway 20 such as stop signs and cutting back shrubs. She suggested hiring additional staff to take care of situations that could prevent accidents. She feels strongly if someone gets hurt on Highway 20 because of a deer running across the highway, the City will have a definite lawsuit.
Jane Hess 414 Green Street – Hess stated she too is a neighbor of Linmar Gardens. She is a walker in the community and is concerned she hasn’t heard anything about the safety or postings of what to be aware of. She also voiced concern there are B & B’s in the neighborhood with visitors coming and going. She questioned what level of awareness will be in the parking area across the street from the Linmar Garden. She is very concerned about public awareness.
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Kieffer, to move the Liquor Commission on the agenda to after Unfinished Business.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None ABSENT: Bernstein
The motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA CA18-16
18C-0317 – APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 13, 2018
18C-0318 – ACCEPTANCE OF JULY 2018 FINANCIAL REPORT
18C-0319 – APPROVAL OF 2018 RESOLUTION FOR MAINTENANCE OF STREETS AND HIGHWAYS
18C-0320 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE GALENA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HOPE YOUTH GROUP TO PARK VEHICLES IN THE PUBLIC PARKING LOT BELOW THE GAZETTE ON THE OKTOBERFEST, COUNTRY FAIR AND HALLOWEEN PARADE WEEKENDS
18C-0321 – APPROVAL OF REQUEST BY THE GALENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS TO INSTALL SCARECROWS ON CITY PROPERTY IN DOWNTOWN AS PART OF THE “ART STANDS OUT IN ITS FIELD.SCARECROWS” EXHIBIT, SEPTEMBER 1-OCTOBER 9
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Fach, to approve Consent Agenda, CA18-16.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Fach, Renner
NAYS: None ABSENT: Bernstein
The motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
18C-0298 – SECOND READING AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 111 “ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 111, “Alcoholic Beverages", of the Code of Ordinances.
Discussion: Fach noted this change would be going back to an ordinance prior to Nancy’s Slots coming to Main Street. At that time the ordinance was changed to force anyone who wanted a liquor license and gaming machines to have to do 50 percent of their business with alcohol sales. He voiced concern with backing off of that now and having no limit to their alcohol sales. He feels this could open the doors for another Nancy’s Slots type of business. He feels the City would be better off doing an ordinance just for grocery stores instead of taking away the ordinance established.
Renner noted it is very difficult to determine that 51 percent of sales are the sale of food. That is the reason this is being considered.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Westemeier, Hahn
NAYS: Fach ABSENT: Bernstein
The motion carried.
18C-0299 – SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP FOR 701 SOUTH BENCH STREET FROM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Hahn, to approve the second reading of an ordinance amending the zoning map for 701 South Bench Street from low density residential to neighborhood commercial, 18C-0299.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Fach, Hahn Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None ABSENT: Bernstein
The motion carried.
LIQUOR COMMISSION
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Westemeier, to adjourn as the City Council and reconvene as the Liquor Commission.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None ABSENT: Bernstein
The motion carried.
18C-0315 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST FOR A CLASS A LIQUOR LICENSE BY TAMMY’S PIGGLY WIGGLY, 997 GALENA SQUARE DRIVE
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Lincoln, to approve the request for a Class A Liquor License by Tammy’s Piggly Wiggly, 997 Galena Square Drive, 18C-0315.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier
NAYS: Fach ABSENT: Bernstein
The motion carried.
18C-0316 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON INITIATING AN ORDINANCE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CLASS A LIQUOR LICENSES
No action taken on this item.
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Kieffer, to adjourn as the Liquor Commission and reconvene as the City Council.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Fach, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Bernstein
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
18C-0322 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN APPOINTMENT TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF ALDERPERSON TODD LINCOLN THROUGH APRIL 30, 2019
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the appointment of Chris Allendorf to fill the unexpired term of Alderperson Todd Lincoln through April 30, 2019.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Westemeier, Fach, Hahn, Renner
NAYS: None ABSENT: Bernstein
The motion carried.
18C-0323 – WATER AND WASTEWATER OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE REPORT FROM AMERICAN WATER (VEOLIA)
Matt Trotter advised as of September 1, 2018, Veolia will be taking over the financial part of everything. He is in the process of working on the end of year true-ups for the three accounts. This should be finalized soon.
They continue to work on the unaccounted water. It is looking pretty good again this month. He is hoping for another 10 percent reduction. Overall there has been an improvement in the lost water.
18C-0324 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST BY THE GALENA POLICE DEPARTMENT TO INITIATE A K-9 PROGRAM
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the request by the Galena Police Department to initiate a K-9 Program, 18C-0824.
Discussion: Westemeier feels it is a great idea. While it is a lot of money, he would like to see it worked into the budget. He believes it would be beneficial for Galena to have a canine working for us.
Fach questioned what happens on the days Halstead would not be working. Huntington advised Halstead would be available for call outs. Chief Huntington will develop a policy for call outs.
The initial cost is $37,315, which includes the cost of the dog, dog training and a vehicle. They are looking into grant funding as well as starting a fundraising campaign. They would like to raise the money so they don’t have to tax the city resources. Huntington has been talking with Canine Officer, Brian Wullweber, of Dubuque on how to get things started.
Westemeier stated this has been a long time coming. With all of the drug arrests in the paper, he feels it will pay for itself in drug forfeitures and will be used a lot. He understands Halstead can’t work 7 days per week. The dog will be available if needed. Hahn agreed.
No vote was taken. This item will be placed on the next agenda for final approval.
18C-0325 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON CHANGE ORDER #2 FOR THE GRANT PARK OVAL GARDEN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Fach, to approve Change Order #2 for the Grant Park Oval Garden Construction Project.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Fach, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None ABSENT: Bernstein ABSTAIN: Hahn
The motion carried.
18C-0326 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PURCHASE OF PLANTS FOR THE GRANT PARK FOUNTAIN LANDSCAPING AND THE GRANT PARK OVAL GARDEN
Motion: Fach moved, seconded by Hahn, to approve the purchase of plants for the Grant Park fountain landscaping and the Grant Park oval garden, 18C-0326 amended to include in the amount of $11,686.08.
Discussion: None
Amended Motion: Fach moved, seconded by Kieffer, to amend the motion to include in the amount of $11,686.08.
Amended Motion Roll Call: AYES: Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None ABSENT: Bernstein
The motion carried.
Main Motion Roll Call: AYES: Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None ABSENT: Bernstein
The motion carried.
18C-0327 – WARRANTS
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Fach, to approve the Warrants as presented, 18C-0327.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Westemeier, Fach, Renner
NAYS: None ABSTAIN: Hahn ABSENT: Bernstein
The motion carried.
18C-0328 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS
Grant Park – Council was excited to see Grant Park is moving along nicely.
Crosswalk – Fach voiced concern that there is no crosswalk on the highway at the stoplights for pedestrians to cross. He noted the crosswalk across Bench Street is clearly defined; however, there is no crosswalk across the highway.
Canine Program – Kieffer is glad to see the initiation of the canine program.
18C-0329 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Street Paving – Street paving will be starting in about 3 weeks and should only take 3-4 days.
Ash Trees – An inventory of dead and dying ash trees in the right of ways has been completed. Staff is compiling the data and will return in a couple months to present and give options for removal.
Deer Program – All of the information for the Deer Program is on the city website on the homepage under news. The information there should address the questions asked tonight. The city understands residents are concerned with hunting in neighborhoods. With certainty, Moran advised the Linmar Gardens site will not be hunted because of the number of occupied structures near the site. He plans to have the Council look at the sites one more time at the next meeting. He will provide maps and confirm what will and will not be hunted. State law says we cannot hunt within 300 feet of an occupied residence without the consent of the resident. Staff is in the process of reviewing applications to determine if the areas are able to be hunted and if consent has been received from the neighbors.
18C-0330 – MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Renner stated the canine program is excellent. The park looks great and Gear Street is coming along nicely.
18C-0331 - ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Fach, to adjourn.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Westemeier, Fach, Hahn, Renner
NAYS: None ABSENT: Bernstein
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
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