City of Galena City Council met June 13

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Jul 29, 2022

City of Galena City Council met June 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

22C-0213 – 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 June 2022.

22C-0214 – ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner. Hahn and Kieffer were absent.

22C-0215 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.

22C-0216 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

22C-0217 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEE

No reports.

22C-0218 – CITIZENS COMMENTS

None

CONSENT AGENDA CA22-11

22C-0219 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 23, 2022

22C-0220 – APPROVAL OF A YOUTH SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE GALENA ART AND RECREATION CENTER

Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve Consent Agenda CA22-11.

Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner

NAYS: none

ABSENT: Hahn, Kieffer

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

22C-0221 – THIRD QUARTER REPORT BY GALENA COUNTRY TOURISM

Rose Noble presented council members with a tourism pamphlet. She talked about ten impacts of tourism and how Galena Country Tourism is working on the tourism master plan.

She explained how organization conducted a survey and focus groups to obtain input. The destination assessment will be available July 1 on the VisitGalena.org website. They will be developing a 10-year plan of action. Their current goal is community engagement where they are looking to get locals to come out and enjoy the community. Live on the Plaza on Thursday nights is an example of an event aimed at the goal.

Mayor Renner asked about the Food Truck Fight event.

Noble stated 2200 people attended, and 400 VIP tickets were sold prior to the event. The weather was bad at times with rain, but overall, there was a good-sized crowd. They are contracting for three years with the event coordinator to help establish the event for the long term.

The Pride Picnic was also attracted a large crowd even though there was some rain. It was a fun happy time.

Noble said they are hoping to work with the City on a business map with the possibility of a digital kiosk downtown that they can update from the tourism office.

22C-0222 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR SPRING STREET CORRIDOR CONCRETE COLORS AND THE SCOPE OF APPLICATION

Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Wienen to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the Illinois Department of Transportation to use Quarry Red concrete on the Spring Street roadway from the intersection of Main Street and Spring Street to the National Register Historic District Boundary near Dell Street. The red concrete would also be used on all concrete sections of the side streets being reconstructed as part of the project. Concrete sidewalks and the concrete multi-use path would be Coachella Sand color.

Discussion: Westemeier asked who is paying for the colored concrete. The Mayor said the state is paying. He said it will cost more but they will be considering the cost addition for approval.

Bernstein asked who chose the red. The Mayor said the Historical Preservation Commission met and approved this as we have already used the red in the area of the Highway 20 bridge. The Mayor joked that it may fade out to pink.

McCoy said he approved the red since the historic board already met on this. The flip side of this is that if it needs future patching / repairs they will end up black with hot mix and the red may be hard to match due to fading just like the paint on your house.

Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner

NAYS: none

ABSENT: Hahn, Kieffer

The motion carried.

22C-0223 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE DEDICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF TECHNICAL DRIVE TO THE CITY OF GALENA

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve the first reading of an ordinance providing for the dedication and acceptance of Technical Drive to the City of Galena.

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner

NAYS:

ABSENT: Hahn, Kieffer

The motion carried.

22C-0224 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A CONTRACT FOR EMERGENCY WATER MAIN INSTALLATION AT GALENA SQUARE DRIVE

Motion: McCoy moved to approve a contract with Louis Trenching Service for emergency water main installation at Galena Square Drive for $27,600. Seconded by Wienen.

Discussion: Bernstein asked why was Louie’s there working already when it was not discussed or voted on yet? Was it because it was an emergency?

The Mayor said yes because it was an emergency. The code of ordinances includes a section for undertaking emergency contracts.

Westemeier said we need to look at what is underground and get things fixed. He asked Matt Oldenburg to make a list of critical areas and just do those. He said they need to agree to get priority areas done.

The Mayor said the old city records are not always good, so we sometimes stumble on pipes in poor condition and in locations not expected. Money is also an issue.

Westemeier asked Matt if he got the new toy?

Oldenburg said yes, he has received the new remote video camera to examine water and sewer lines.

Westemeier said the camera can be used as an indicator for planning water and sewer pipe replacement.

Oldenburg commented that the 1960’s era pipes appear to be in bad condition. If you go beyond four breaks on a line, then you need to just replace the whole line. He will incorporate water main replacements into the pavement and street improvement plan for this summer. Sewer is another ball game.

Wienen asked if four breaks on the line is the suggestion to do a new line.

Oldenburg said yes and there were six breaks on Franklin Street by the school. He explained that the plan is to install new mains on the three side streets on Franklin: Grant, Bussan, and Lincoln.

Westemeier said the schools will appreciate that.

Oldenburg said hats off to Public Works and the Water Department for all the hard work they are putting in.

Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, McCoy, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Hahn, Kieffer

The motion carried.

22C-0225 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT FOR WATER MAIN INSTALLATION AT GALENA SQUARE DRIVE

Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve an easement agreement with 997 Galena LLC (the owner of Galena Square) for water main installation at Galena Square Drive for a total cost up to $8000.00.

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Bernstein, McCoy, Westemeier, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Hahn, Kieffer

The motion carried.

22C-0226 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AND POLICY

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by McCoy, to approve the Video Surveillance System and Policies.

Discussion: Westemeier said this is a great thing and will be well worth the money.

Bernstein said she has complete respect and support for Police Department, but she has concerns after talking to people in her ward. First it would be helpful to know what kinds of crime are we hoping to deter?

The Mayor responded “all crime.”

Bernstein said it would be helpful to know that it would be worth the investment of $100,000. She would like to look at other cities to see how this works. She commented that City staff and the Police Department do a great job, but she would like input on what it will bring us. She would like to see a public hearing on this to see what citizens want.

Westemeier said he disagreed on the public hearing. He said look at the Dubuque newspaper. Almost every single day and you can see what crimes they are solving with these cameras. What a better way to solve it then not get solved. There is no sound. On public space anyone can watch it. Anyone in a store or at any bar has cameras on them. One major crime solved, and it will be well worth it. Hopefully we do not get our money’s worth out of it. Hopefully there is not enough crime since we do not want crime. If we do need the video, it is available, and HWY 20 is a major drug running area. With today’s crime this is a no brainer.

Bernstein said crime has not jumped. We will have to put more money in the system because it only has a 5-year warranty. We are not just talking the $100,000. We are also talking a phase 2 so the cost could jump to $300,000 to $400,000 over time.

Westemeier said use the money from the marijuana place. The more eyes the better.

Wienen stated that the hotel chain (Stoney Creek) uses this Verkada cameras system and has over 200 cameras in 11 hotels and they are awesome. She asked does the pricing include licensing? Personally, every other week they have downloaded video at the hotel here in Galena. They turned over video at least six times in the last six months to the Galena Police Department. We need to consider the park issues we have been having. The fires that have been started. She does not think it needs to go to public hearing. She is shocked we don’t already have them.

Mark Moran stated City Attorney, Joe Nack, did some research today believes we should consider increasing the retention period for the video from 30 to 90 days to facilitate FOIA requests. He also explained that we would need approval from the State of Illinois Local Records Division for the retention policy. Moran commented in response to Wienen that he believes the cameras can accommodate up to 365 days of storage per camera.

Nack said they need a new motion to amend the policy to include a 90-day retention period for video and no redaction without permission of Police Chief and City attorney when video is requested for FOIA. He reiterated that the policy would require the approval to the state. City Clerk, Mary Beth Hyde will need to send this into the State.

Mayor Renner restated the new motion.

McCoy made the amendment, Westemeier seconded.

No further discussion on amendment.

Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Hahn, Kieffer

The amendment carried

Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner

NAYS: Bernstein

ABSENT: Hahn, Kieffer

The motion carried.

22C-0227 – WARRANTS

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by McCoy, to approve the Warrants as presented, 22C 0227.

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Hahn, Kieffer

The motion carried.

22C-0228 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

McCoy said he got some great pictures of the water tower coming down. One showed just the GAL. He said the Food Truck Fight was a great time.

Bernstein thanked the City for paving the sidewalk by the city cemetery. The job was completed very nicely. She expressed concern about a letter she received from a food truck owner. The $500 fee is too steep for them. She would like the council to reconsider this fee. Dubuque charges a $250 fee.

Westemeier said the area looks very different without the water tower. The company did quick job on it. He welcomed Jennifer Schmidt aboard.

Wienen said the water main breaks really hit close to home. Thanks to public works and their families. Thanks for the good job by all involved.

22C-0229 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Moran reviewed donations to dog park. He reminded the council of the $30,000 donation from a few weeks ago. Since then, the City received a donation from Arrow Solar of $1,800 for six trees and the Illinois Realtors Association for $5,000. Louie’s donated labor and equipment to prepare the ground for fencing.

He reported that work will be beginning soon, and supplies are being ordered. Some supplies are backordered, like the picnic tables and benches, with a 20 week wait.

Moran thanked Matt Oldenburg for all the work he is doing on the water project. He reiterated earlier praise for the work of the U.S. Water staff and Public Works.

Moran also welcomed Jennifer Schmidt to the team.

22C-0230 – MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Renner thanked Oldenburg and Public Works for their work on the West Side Water Project. He requested the public be patient with the water issues. He explained that it will take a while to regulate pressure and replace piping. He also stated that Hillary Dickerson is doing great job with pool and staff there doing great. He commented that it looks good out there. He too thanked Jennifer Schmidt for coming on board.

22C-0231 – MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by McCoy to recess to Executive Session to discuss the following:

∙ Employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline and performance, Section 2 (c) (1)

∙ Review of Executive Session Minutes, Section 2 (c) (21)

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner NAYS: None

ABSENT: Hahn, Kieffer

The motion carried.

The meeting recessed at 7:15 p.m.

The meeting reconvened at 7:45 p.m.

22C-0232 – ADJOURNMENT

Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Westemeier to adjourn.