City of Galena Council met Feb. 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
19C-0046 – 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 11 February 2019.
19C-0047 – ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Allendorf, Bernstein, Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Renner
19C-0048 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.
19C-0049 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
19C-0050 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEE
None.
19C-0051 – CITIZENS COMMENTS
Victoria Ritenour, 220 N. Bench Street – Ritenour read a prepared statement in support of the dog park. She feels it would be a great location and a great place for people to exercise their dogs off leash.
Christine Wheetley, 518 Hill Street – Wheetley shared a handout of dog park facts. The main concern seems to be the location. She feels the distance between the dog park and the pool is adequate as well as the nearest home is over a football field away. She advised they would be willing to add a privacy fence on the pool side of the park if necessary. She urged the council to consider their offer to raise the necessary funding to open a dog park.
Ginger Komiskey, 1708 Field Street – Komiskey spoke in opposition to the dog park. She noted there are 9 Field Street neighbors who are opposed to a dog park in Recreation Park.
Jane Holland, 626 Ridge Street – Holland shared a petition signed by 207 people and spoke in support of the dog park. She noted the proposed location already has parking, water and restrooms. She urged the council to vote yes.
Jason Wiegard, 414 S. West Street – Wiegard stated while he is supportive of adding a dog park, he doesn’t feel it should be next to the city pool. He felt barking dogs as well as multiple running dogs could be a distraction for the lifeguards as well as the guests at the pool. He urged the Council to determine what the noise barrier would be before voting yes. He stated was in favor of coming together to find a suitable space for the park.
Kent Parry, 910 Park Avenue – Parry spoke in favor of the dog park and urged the council to vote yes for the proposed location.
Silas Pepple, 336 Spring Street – Pepple spoke in support of the proposed dog park. He is in favor of putting it in the park that the community already utilizes.
Jackie Lashelle, 1369 Field Street – Lashelle spoke in opposition to the proposed dog park. She feels the dog park would disturb the peacefulness of the area.
Rebekah Martin, 1628 Field Street – Martin spoke in favor of the dog park. She stated they would welcome a dog park in the area. It would provide a safe place for dogs to run off leash.
Kellen Eddy, 222 S. Bench Street – Eddy spoke in favor of a dog park. He feels it would be a great amenity for Galena.
CONSENT AGENDA CA19-3
19C-0052 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 28, 2019
19C-0053 – APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION ON THE REVIEW AND POSSIBLE RELEASE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
19C-0054 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST FOR THE ANTIQUE TOWN RODS TO OCCUPY SPACE IN THE CITY HALL LOT FOR THE ANNUAL FOOD STAND DURING BOY SCOUT WEEKEND, APRIL 26-28
Motion: Allendorf moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve Consent Agenda, CA19-3 as presented.
Discussion: None. Roll Call:
AYES: Bernstein, Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Allendorf, Renner NAYS: None
The motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
19C-0034 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PROPOSAL FOR DOG PARK AT RECREATION PARK
Motion: Allendorf moved, seconded by Fach, to approve the proposal for a dog park at Recreation Park.
Discussion: Bernstein feels the plan was very well thought out and a lot of research was done on it. She believes the community would benefit from it. She noted whenever something of this magnitude is presented, there are always concerns. She feels the plan has addressed those concerns. She was in favor of moving forward on giving the residents a dog park.
Allendorf noted approval of this tonight doesn’t make it a done deal. They are simply asking for permission to move ahead with the initial phase which is to raise $25,000. If they can do that, it is a testament to how bad they want a dog park. They are not looking to retain control. The City has input as to what is implemented at the site. They are willing to put a privacy fence on the side nearest the pool. Allendorf agrees it would be an amenity to the town.
Kieffer stated he has no problem with a dog park; however, he doesn’t want it in a residential area. He recommended looking for an area outside the city limits.
Renner advised when the park was redone in 2003, the pool and this area was divided off. The rest of the park was done with a DNR grant. This area was kept as greenspace for future expansion of the pool. This space could be used down the road for applying for grant money for the pool.
Renner voiced concern from a safety standpoint. He noted the parking lot is small, there will be multiple vehicles, kids on bikes and one road in and one road out. With the workers for the pool and visitors to the dog park the parking lot could fill up. The pool is a business that brings money in to help maintain it. Renner stated while he is in favor of a dog park, he is opposed to putting it in Rec Park.
Bernstein questioned how likely it would be that the city would expand the pool. Renner advised it could happen in a year or it might never happen. This is the reason no trees or pavilions were ever put in that area. It was approved by the council as a plan.
Hahn noted a few years ago there were talks about putting the ARC out there on part of that vacant ground. At that time Craig Albaugh investigated it and advised nothing could be built on that ground under the DNR grant. He stated, with everything up in the air, he would vote no.
Westemeier stated he was opposed to a dog park in Rec Park. He feels there must be another place to put a dog park.
Renner thanked the applicants for the information provided. He feels this is something we can continue to work on.
Fach stated he frequently uses the park to play shuffleboard. He sees dogs walking on a leash as well as some dogs running around off leash. He feels regardless if you are for or against the proposal, the group should have some type of encouragement. Fach feels it is a shame that it can’t be in this spot. He feels the separation tree line could be a dense planting and it could be done right. He feels the city needs a dog park.
Roll Call: AYES: Fach, Allendorf, Bernstein
NAYS: Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Renner
The motion was denied.
19C-0036 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN INGRESS AND EGRESS EASEMENT FOR THE JO DAVIESS CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Motion: Fach moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve an ingress and egress easement for the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Westemeier, Allendorf, Bernstein, Fach, Hahn, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
19C-0055 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE 2019 DOWNTOWN SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT PROJECT
| CONTRACTOR | BASE BID | ALTERNATE BID |
| Louie’s Trenching Service | $291,500 | $53,750 |
| Fischer Excavating | $464,893 | $90,589 |
| MNS Construction | $388,510 | $73,475 |
Discussion: None
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Westemeier, Allendorf, Bernstein, Fach, Renner NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Hahn
The motion carried.
19C-0056 – PRESENTATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE 2018-19 DEER HUNTING PROGRAM
Allendorf recommended expanding the program next year. This was a good start. The concerns raised appeared to be unfounded this year.
Renner thanked Mark Moran for the report and agreed it went well.
Moran advised staff hopes to get an aerial count down this week. Once he has that information he will bring it back to the council for a decision for next year.
19C-0057 – WARRANTS
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Fach, to approve the Warrants as presented, 19C-0057.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Allendorf, Bernstein, Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Renner NAYS: None
The motion carried.
19C-0058 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS
Dog Park – Bernstein stated she was disappointed with the vote on the dog park. She hopes the City can continue to work with the people who made the proposal, and something will still come of this. Allendorf agreed stating he hopes they can find somewhere else to put it.
Dog Park – Fach thanked the group for all the hard work that went into the proposal.
Dog Park – Hahn stated he would like to work with the group to find a suitable spot. He feels there are a few throughout the city that might work. Those should be outlined and presented to the group and go from there. He stated he is willing to help with any grading if necessary.
Passenger Rail – Bernstein attended the meeting on passenger rail. They are encouraging people to send letters to the governor and legislators in favor of it. The Mayor of Rockford is trying to put together a consortium of other local governments to show the state that it is not just for Rockford and Galena. It stands a better chance if all municipalities that fall between the lines are on board. They are working on the budget, so we need to move quickly.
19C-0059 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Operations and Maintenance Contract – Moran reported the RFP is out. A tour of the facilities is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12th. Five firms have responded. Approximately 25 individuals will take the tour. The tour will focus on the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Alderman Westemeier and Hahn will be participating on the review committee.
19C-0060 – MAYOR’S REPORT
Passenger Rail – Renner advised he has met with the Mayor of Rockford and others. He is willing to partake with them again.
Thank you – Mayor Renner thanked the Public Works Department for their hard work. 19C-0061 - ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Kieffer to adjourn.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Allendorf, Bernstein, Fach, Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
http://www.cityofgalena.org/documents/filelibrary/side_tabs/agendas__minutes/city_council_minutes/2019/cc021119_BF5E17A07FC73.pdf
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