City of Galena City Council met Jan. 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
22C-0017 – 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 24 January 2022.
22C-0018 – ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
Absent: Hahn
22C-0019 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.
22C-0020 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
22C-0021 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEE
No reports.
22C-0022 – CITIZENS COMMENTS
Dana Meadows from Honest Johns at 103 N Main expressed his support of Rose Noble and Galena Country Tourism’s proposal to install a statue of Ulysses S. Grant in Washington Park. He said it fits in well with the nine Generals. He fully supports this project.
Vanessa and Tiffany from Dupaco, 11375 Oldenburg Lane, voiced their support of the Thursday Night Live events. They will be helping Noble coordinate the event and hope it will drive more business to the downtown.
LIQUOR COMMISSION
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by McCoy, to adjourn as the City Council and reconvene as the Liquor Commission.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
22C-0023 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A CLASS J CORPORATION LIQUOR LICENSE FOR CATHERINE KOUZMANOFF, DBA THE GALENA TAPHOUSE, INC., 215 DIAGONAL STREET
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve a Class J Corporation Liquor License for Catherine Kouzmanoff, DBA The Galena Taphouse, Inc, 215 Diagonal Street contingent upon a satisfactory background check on Richard Schatzabel.
Discussion: Mayor reminded them of restrictions in place since it is near residential area.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
22C-0024 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN APPLICATION FOR A CLASS D CORPORATION LIQUOR LICENSE FOR MARKET HOUSE HP, 204 PERRY STREET
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve a Class D Corporation Liquor License for Octavio Martinez-Herrera, Market House H.P., Inc., DBA Market House H.P. at 204 Perry Street.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by McCoy, to adjourn as the City Liquor Commission and reconvene as the City Council.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Kieffer, McCoy, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA CA22-02
22C-0025 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 11, 2022
22C-0026 – APPROVAL OF SWIMMING POOL WAGES, RATES, AND SCHEDULE FOR 2022
22C-0027 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE GALENA ELK’S CLUB AND GALENA ART AND RECREATION CENTER TO CONDUCT THE SHAMROCK SHIMMY FUN RUN AND ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE ON MARCH 12, 2022
22C-0028 – APPROVAL OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ROGER GATES TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FOR THE TERM ENDING AUGUST 31, 2024
22C-0029 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST TO ADD WILLIAM KISH TO THE CIVIL WAR VETERANS’ MONUMENT IN GRANT PARK
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by McCoy, to approve Consent Agenda, CA22-02.
Discussion: Westemeier commented it was nice to add another name to the Civil War Veterans’ Monument and hopes other people will be added in the future. Good honor.
Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Bernstein, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
22C-0030 – GALENA TOURISM QUARTERLY REPORT
Rose Noble presented the quarterly report for Galena Tourism. She highlighted the increase in social media impressions and noted they now have a Tik Tok account. Galena Country Tourism took home best social media award at the Governor’s Conference.
Mayor Renner commented that everything seems to be moving upward and complimented Noble.
Bernstein had a question about where to find the New Resident Welcome Kit. Noble said it is live on the NW Illinois Economic Development website. They usually do not mail copies. Noble thanked Janelle Kieffer for her assistance creating the document.
Wienen said it was great that the staff were able to attend the training in Springfield.
22C-0031 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON GALENA COUNTRY TOURISM 2022 EVENTS AND PROJECTS PROPOSAL
Mayor Renner asked to vote on each item in the proposal separately.
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the Ulysses S. Grant Statue, part of proposal, 22C-0031.
Discussion: Mayor Renner commented on the life-size being appropriate. Westemeier felt it was great for the statue to be on a bench so people could take pictures while sitting with Grant. Bernstein wanted to point out that there could be mischief with the statute but supported the project.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by McCoy, to approve the #Amazing for All Bridge and for all Crosswalks, part of proposal, 22C-0031.
Discussion: Kieffer asked how long the colorful decals would be affixed to the crosswalks. Noble commented. “Just for June.” Mayor asked about the types of stickers proposed for the crosswalks. Noble said they are like the Visit Galena social distancing decals, very durable and non-slip. Often, they are used for marathons and such events.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the Field of Dreams Tour event, part of proposal, 22C-0031.
Discussion: Noble went over dates and said would be twelve, very non-evasive decals on the sidewalks.
Mayor Renner asked how long the banner would be up. Noble answered 14 days.
Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the Perry Street lighting / beautification project, part of proposal, 22C-0031.
Discussion: Kieffer commented he liked the lights on ground, but not those hanging across the street.
Noble explained that the lights would hang between 201 and 121 N Main, over Perry St. between the Log Cabin and Mark Montgomery’s building. The lights along the cobblestone section of Perry street would be near the ground and mounted next to the sidewalk facing out.
McCoy said he would welcome an amendment to his motion by Kieffer to only allow the ground lighting along the cobblestones. Mayor Renner agreed.
Some members commented that the overhead lights may look shoddy. Wienen commented that she liked the overhead lights because there is never enough lighting downtown.
Motion: Kieffer moved to amend the original motion to include only LED lights along the cobblestone and no lights overhead. Bernstein seconded his amendment.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Kieffer, McCoy, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
Discussion: Kieffer said he likes the way it looks in the picture but would prefer if the City could view the actual plan for installing the lighting before the installation. Noble stated she would work with City staff on the design. The vote was made subject to the design being presented to staff.
Revoted on original Motion: to approve the Perry Street beautification project, part of proposal, 22C-0031.
Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Bernstein, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the Food Truck Fight and Julien Dubuque International Film Fest for Saturday, June 4th, agenda item 22C-0031.
Discussion: Westemeier thought it was great idea to have food trucks come in for one day and did not think they would hurt anything downtown.
Kieffer asked how many trucks would be involved.
Noble said up to 20 trucks. She commented that this event was approved twice prior to this. Mayor asked the cost of event tickets.
Noble said there would be tiered tickets for entry to include samples or full portions of the food. Free public access to the bike trail and boat launch would be maintained at all times.
Kieffer wanted to be sure we collect the lunch stand permit fee from the food truck owners. Moran replied that each truck would be required to obtain a City lunch stand permit for $25.00. Noble said access to the area would be the same as for Oktoberfest and the Corkless events.
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the Thursday Night Live event, part of proposal, 22C-0031.
Discussion: McCoy said he definitely enjoyed the music in the past. He has been to Shullsburg for their summer music events and they are well attended. He stated that Galena needs some Thursday fun.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
22C-0032 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR GENERAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN THE CITY OF GALENA AND JO DAVIESS COUNTY TRANSIT
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve an intergovernmental agreement for general public transportation between the City of Galena and Jo Daviess County Transit, 22C-0032.
Discussion: McCoy said anytime the City and County agree and work together it is wonderful.
Westemeier said the transit service should be great to move people parking in Depot lot and the Meeker Street lot to the downtown. He commented that last year we had a good number of riders during the limited time service. Hopefully the service will motivate motorists to park in these areas and take advantage of the free ride. This will help relieve parking problems.
Mayor Renner said the service will be helpful.
Bernstein said she is happy the service is expanding. It is a good solution to the parking problem.
Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
22C-0033 – WARRANTS
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the Warrants as presented with the addition of one to John Deere Financial for $468.89, item 22C-0033.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, McCoy, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
22C-0034 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS
Westemeier -Thanked Noble and staff for marketing and for promoting Galena and Jo Daviess County.
McCoy- Noble talked about the number of people that visited the visitor center at the Depot. He is still hoping for a restroom in the Depot/bike trail area instead of the porta potty. He does not feel this the best welcoming or a nice first impression. He is hoping the council will discuss this again in the future.
Kieffer thanked Noble for all the hard work she has put in and for the report. He also thanked the City public works crew for the fine jobs they are doing plowing the streets.
22C-0035 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS
Moran reported that after 15 years, the bids for the Spring Street project have finally been submitted. The low bidder was a team of Fischer Excavating, Sostram Construction, and Civil Construction. Their low bid was $31,500,000. He commented that Galena now has its own Miracle Mile.
Moran also thanked Noble and Galena Country Tourism for their work to develop marketing materials the Galena Free Ride transit program.
He concluded by recognizing the Galena Downtown Business Association for everything they do to organize events and promote Galena. He said that they often work in the background but they are an effective group that accomplishes much.
22C-0036 – MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Renner thanked Noble and her group, the GDBA, and the Chamber for all working together.
22C-0037 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by McCoy, to adjourn.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hahn
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
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