City of Galena City Council met July 11

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Sep 16, 2022

City of Galena City Council met July 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

22C-0250 – CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Renner called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Chambers at 101 Green Street.

22C-0251 – ROLL CALL

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

22C-0252 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

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

22C-0253 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

22C-0254 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEE

No reports.

22C-0255 – CITIZENS COMMENTS

Mary Hartman, 510 Gear Street – Hartman asked the council to support allowing residents on Gear Street at least a six-foot temporary fence. While she understands it will not stop the noise or the fumes, it will be a barrier for the lights. Hartman also voiced concern with the two-way traffic on the highway between West and Dodge Streets. She advised trucks coming off West Street who turn right have no place to go.

Bob Buman, 1024 Hill Street – Buman spoke in support of the Generals on the Levee project. The project keeps history alive in Galena. The proposal is to place a bronze bust of the nine Civil War generals on the levee. The approximate cost would be $120,000.

Terry Miller, 117 Kelly Lane – Miller spoke in support of the Generals on the Levee project.

David Sandlers, 1981 East Cross Road – Sandlers thanked the council for bringing the camera project back to the agenda. Sandlers shared references from Elizabeth and Hanover and urged the council to put the camera project out for bid.

CONSENT AGENDA CA22-13

22C-0256 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 27, 2022

22C-0257 – APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT BA22-02 FOR PUBLIC LIGHTING PROJECTS AND LITIGATION COSTS

22C-0258 – APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION FOR MAINTENANCE OF STREETS AND HIGHWAYS (MOTOR FUEL TAX)

22C-0259 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS WINE GROWERS FOR 2023 CORKLESS IN GALENA AT DEPOT PARK, JUNE 24, 2023

22C-0260 – APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A NEW ONE-TON PICKUP TRUCK FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS FROM GALENA CHRYSLER

22C-0261 – APPROVAL OF ASSET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE WITH CARTEGRAPH SYSTEMS

22C-0262 – APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH U.S. WATER CORPORATION FOR STEP SCREEN AND SCREW WASH PRESS INSTALLATION AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

22C-0263 – APPROVAL OF GALENA COUNTRY FAIR AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF GRANT PARK, OCTOBER 6-9, 2022

Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve Consent Agenda CA22-13.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

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

Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Westemeier, to reconsider discussion and possible action on a video surveillance system and policy, 22C-0226.

Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Hahn, to approve going out for bid on a video surveillance system and policy.

Discussion: McCoy noted when the cameras were first talked about, they looked at retaining 30 days of storage. That was moved to 90 days which significantly changed the cost of the program. He was in favor of taking a new look at it and moving it back to 30 days.

Hahn felt, given the new information, everything should be rebid competitively.

Westemeier stated he does not care who does it as long as they do an excellent job. He would prefer to get them installed sooner rather than later.

Wienen was familiar with the Verkada system. She feels 90 days storage is not necessary. She agreed it is a good process to bid it out.

Bernstein and Renner agreed it should be bid out.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

22C-0264 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE GENERALS OF THE LEVEE PROJECT PROPOSAL

Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve allowing the group to move forward with the Generals on the Levee Project provided they get approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, 22C-0264.

Discussion: Council liked the idea and felt it was a great way to promote the generals.

Westemeier questioned if they had a “Plan B” in case the Corps of Engineers says no. Buman advised they have not discussed a “Plan B” so that would be something the committee would need to discuss.

Buman advised they will move forward to see what donations they can get from local people. He stated he would like to see the City of Galena get involved as well with the local people to help fundraise. They hope to complete the project by July 4th, 2023.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

22C-0265 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PERMITS FOR TEMPORARY FENCING ON GEAR STREET

Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Hahn, to approve permits for temporary fencing on Gear Street as described in the packet, 22C-0265.

Discussion: The fence must be on the owner’s property and must be removed within 90 days of the completion of the project and the detour is no longer needed. Fences will not be required to be removed for the winter months when the normal traffic pattern resumes temporarily.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

22C-0266 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE REZONING 101 BOUTHILLIER STREET FROM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL

Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the first reading, and waive the second reading, of an ordinance rezoning 101 Bouthillier Street from Low Density Residential to Neighborhood Commercial.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

22C-0267 – WARRANTS

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve the Warrants as presented, 22C 0267.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

22C-0268 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

Gear Street – Wienen stated she is happy the council could approve the fences for the residents on Gear Street. She recommended doing another look at the signage. She feels more signage might be helpful.

4th of July – Hahn noted the 4th of July weekend went well and thanked all who helped out.

Verizon Service – McCoy advised when town gets busy Verizon comes to a halt. He recommended Verizon users contact Verizon and ask them to kick it up.

22C-0269 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

West/Dodge/High St. Project – Moran advised we are getting close to bidding the project. An item will be placed on the next agenda to purchase the materials.

Thursday Night on the Plaza – Moran thanked Rose Noble for the Thursday Night on the Plaza events. The weather was good, and the event was excellent.

Verizon – Moran stated the Verizon issue would be a good story for the paper. Staff has been trying to contact Verizon for some time now and it is hard to get through.

22C-0270 – MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Renner stated the 4th of July events were great and the fireworks were super. He agrees Verizon coverage is a problem.

22C-0271 – MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Bernstein, 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: Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Renner

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

The meeting recessed at 7:04 p.m.

The meeting reconvened at 7:12 p.m.