City of Galena City Council met Sept. 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
22C-0340 – 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-0341 – ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
22C-0342 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.
22C-0343 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
22C-0344 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEE
No reports.
22C-0345 – CITIZENS COMMENTS
James Boho, 1477 Rocky Hill Road – See attachment.
CONSENT AGENDA CA22-17
22C-0346 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 22, 2022
22C-0347 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE GALENA PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT FOR LITFEST PERFORMANCES IN THE GRANT PARK PAVILION, MAY 21, 2023
22C-0348 – APPROVAL OF THE OPEN SPACE LAND ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT (OSLAD) GRANT PROGRAM RESOLUTION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR THE SPLASH PAD PROJECT
22C-0349 – APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A NEW COMMAND TRUCK FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM RICHARDSON MOTORS
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve Consent Agenda CA22-17.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
22C-0329 – SECOND READING AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN ANNEXATION AGREEMENT WITH THE RICHARD FAMILY PROPERTIES (BEN RICHARDS) FOR 3.1 ACRES KNOWN AS THE GUY’S TRUCK AND TRACTOR SUBDIVISION IN THE GALENA INDUSTRIAL PARK
Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve the second reading of an ordinance authorizing the execution of an annexation agreement with the Richards Family Properties (Ben Richards) for 3.1 acres known as the Guy’s Truck and Tractor Subdivision in the Galena Industrial Park, with the abatement of taxes for five years, starting when the building has been assessed and amended to include not paying the $11,560 for the infrastructure, 22C-0329.
Discussion: McCoy stated that he likes the idea that Guys Trucking is expanding, and the city is stepping forward by allowing them to enter into a five-year tax abatement. Kieffer agreed stating a 20-year abatement is too long.
Hahn suggested doing 10 years. He felt by doing so it would promote business growth. Wienen was in favor of 5 years for the tax abatement with no infrastructure build out.
Amended
Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to amend the motion to include not paying the $11,560 for the infrastructure.
Discussion: None
Main Motion
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Bernstein, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Hahn
The motion carried.
Amended
Motion
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Bernstein, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Hahn
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
22C-0350 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FINAL PLAT AND PLAN FOR GUY’S TRUCK AND TRACTOR SUBDIVISION
Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the final plat and plan for Guy’s Truck and Tractor Subdivision, 22C-0350.
Discussion: Renner questioned if the fire trucks would be able to access the parking lot.
Matt Oldenburg, City Engineer, advised a new hydrant will be installed at the end of the street. There will be driveway access to the site. The fire truck will be able to turn around on the new road.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
22C-0351 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION TO APPLY FOR A CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by McCoy, to deny the request to apply for a Certified Local Government Grant, 22C-0351.
Discussion: Kieffer stated he feels the local historic ordinance is working fine and feels, if it needs to be updated, the council can fix it without the use of an outside consultant. McCoy agreed. McCoy voiced concern with the presentation being open ended with no dollar amount and the city being obligated to fund 30 percent and not knowing the results or outcome.
McCoy stated he is very happy with the Historic Preservation Commission who has taken care of it for the past 35 years. The City of Galena is number one in the State of Illinois in historic preservation.
Wienen suggested the group come back next year with more data regarding the cost.
Lisa Sproule Vakharia, 702 Young Street spoked on behalf of the Galena Preservation Advocacy Organization. Vakharia advised the estimated cost would be $15,000 of which the city would be responsible for 30 percent.
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Kieffer, McCoy, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: Hahn, Westemeier
The motion carried.
22C-0352 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST BY AMERICAN LEGION POST 193 TO HONOR HENRY H. TAYLOR IN GRANT PARK
Motion: Westeimer moved, seconded by Hahn, to approve the request by American Legion Post 193 to honor Henry H. Taylor in Grant Park, 22C-0352.
Discussion: Westemeier stated it is a great thing having a statue placed at the north end of Grant Park overlooking the river.
Renner advised they are still awaiting approval from the Corp of Engineers to place the nine generals on the levy. If they do not receive that approval, their second choice would be placing them in Grant Park.
Jerry Howard, representative of the American Legion, stated the statues are going to be 7 ½ feet tall with a 4-foot base. The statutes will be bolted to make them sturdy.
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner.
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
22C-0353 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON CONTRACT FOR A COMMUNITY WIDE SURVEILLANCE CAMERA SYSTEM
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Bernstein, to deny the bids for the community wide surveillance camera system.
Discussion: Council explained that the bids were significantly over the budget for the project. They expressed interest in moving forward and suggested the City Administrator work with Sand Prairie to develop a new proposal for the project.
Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
22C-0354 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A CONTRACT FOR PAINTING STORAGE BUILDINGS AT THE MEEKER STREET PARKING LOT
| Company | Location | Cost |
| All Star Power Wash, Inc. | Benton, WI | $27,723 |
| El Greco Painting, LLC | Chicago, IL | $24,500 |
Discussion: McCoy stated he likes the idea that we are trying to preserve and maintain our buildings.
Wienen felt the Public Works Department should be the one maintaining the buildings and should paint them. Bernstein feels the Public Works Department already has a lot on their hands.
Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, Renner NAYS: Wienen
The motion carried.
22C-0355 – PRESENTATION OF 2022 ALICE T. VIRTUE YEAR-END POOL REPORT
Hillary Dickerson, Facilities Manager gave the year-end report. Dickerson stated she was pleased with her opening season given the nationwide lifeguard shortage.
Dickerson reported she had 23 new staff members of which 11 were new lifeguards. Two additional guards were certified at the end of the season. She advised we will need additional guards for the upcoming season.
Swimming lessons were steady. She advised she would also need instructors in the upcoming season.
Several facilities projects were completed prior to opening with additional projects being completed during the season. Public Works will work on several projects in the fall and winter. Spear Corporation will do work on the chemical system and will measure for new pool grates. All of the grates need replacement. The grate size will be a custom size and likely very costly.
Renner thanked Hillary and staff.
22C-0356 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A CONTRACT FOR STREET PAVING The following bid was received:
| Contractor | Base Bid | Alternate Bid | Total Bid |
| Helm Civil | $250,690.60 | - | $250,690.60 |
Discussion: Hahn stated that all the streets need paving, and he hopes we are able to do more.
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
22C-0357 – WARRANTS
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by McCoy, to approve the Warrants as presented, 22C 0357.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
22C-0336 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS
Anniversary – McCoy stated he and his wife Michele celebrated 50 years, adding there is no place he’d rather be!
Congratulations – Hahn congratulated the McCoy’s and added the town is clean and looking good.
Tourists – Kieffer noted the town is full of tourists.
Thank you – Bernstein thanked the Public Works Department and the Police Department for all that they do.
Condolences – Westemeier sends his condolences to Mary Beth.
Window Painting – Wienen stated the city’s collaboration with the school to paint the windows for homecoming is a nice idea.
22C-0337 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Audit – Moran advised O’Connor Brooks just completed the audit and everything went well. Moran thanked Jen Schmidt for her hard working helping them out. We should have a report back in a couple weeks.
Street Paving – Helm Civil will be ready to get started with street paving on Wednesday and should be done with Indian Ridge by Friday.
Spring Street Project – The contractor will begin working on Saturday mornings to make up for time they have lost as a result of weather and site conditions. The Saturday work is not ideal, but it is permitted by the IDOT contract. IDOT and the contractor believe the weekend work is needed to keep the project on schedule for a three-year completion.
22C-00338 – MAYOR’S REPORT
Renner expressed his concerns and condolences to Mary Beth Hyde and her family. God Bless them!
Renner also thanked the Police Department and staff!
22C-00339 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Kieffer to adjourn.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
https://www.cityofgalena.org/documents/filelibrary/side_tabs/agendas__minutes/city_council_minutes/2022/CC_Minutes_091222_w_Attachment_916871A65F132.pdf
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