City of Galena City Council met March 27.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
23C-0092 – 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 27 March 2023.
23C-0093 – ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
23C-0094 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.
23C-0095 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
23C-0096 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
No reports.
23C-0097 – CITIZENS COMMENTS
Tom Rynott, 210 S. High Street - Rynott thanked the city council for considering the proclamation declaring May 7-13, 2023 “National Travel and Tourism Week” in Galena. It is a nice way for the community and everyone across the country to celebrate what travel and tourism has to offer.
Rose Noble, 101 Bouthillier Street, Galena Country Tourism – Noble thanked the council for adding the proclamation to the agenda. Nobel shared some highlights from the proclamation. Travel has a positive and economic effect on Jo Daviess County and the nation’s economic prosperity and image. There is a robust travel industry that provides significant economic benefits to the nation, generating more than $313 million in visitor spending in 2021 in Jo Daviess County as well as employing more than 2700 jobs totaling more than $76 million dollars in payroll and generating $11.7 million dollars in local taxes. Noble stated she is grateful to have the City of Galena as a client and thankful for National Tourism Week.
CONSENT AGENDA CA23-6
23C-0098 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2023
23C-0099 – ACCEPTANCE OF FEBRUARY 2023 FINANCIAL REPORT
23C-0100 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST FOR A FESTIVAL PERMIT BY THE WORKSHOP FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW AT THE GALENA ART AND RECREATION CENTER, NOVEMBER 18, 2023
23C-0101 – APPROVAL OF A PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY 7-13, 2023 “NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK” IN THE CITY OF GALENA
23C-0102 – APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF REPLACEMENT LED LAMPS FOR DOWNTOWN STREET LIGHTS
23C-0103 – APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH SPEAR CORPORATION TO REPLACE THE DRAIN GRATES AT THE SWIMMING POOL
23C-0104 – APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH PEERLESS WELL AND PUMP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR OF WELL #5 PUMP
23C-0105 – APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A FLOW METER FOR WELL #7 FROM J & R SUPPLY
23C-0106 – APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH DIXON ENGINEERING FOR PREPARATION OF BID SPECIFICATIONS FOR PAINTING THE INDUSTRIAL PARK WATER TOWER
23C-0107 – APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT BA23-08 FOR PLAN REVIEW EXPENSES, PERMIT FEE REVENUE AND WATER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve Consent Agenda CA23-6.
Discussion: Bernstein requested that her comments in the minutes under 23C-0086 on page 5 of the agenda packet be corrected to change the word paralyzing to penalizing.
Roll Call: AYES: Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
23C-0071 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE ADOPTION OF AN UPDATED PERSONNEL POLICY HANDBOOK
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the adoption of the updated personnel policy handbook, 23C-0071.
Discussion: Council thanked Hillary and Jen for taking on the huge job of updating the handbook. The improvements made were needed and welcomed.
Renner stated the handbook is very comprehensive. Staff have included new laws and regulations as well as new forms and it is written in a way that staff can easily understand it.
Wienen questioned deducting the meal stipend from the conference fee. Wienen feels we are not at the level of money that this is important. Wienen stated she liked the bereavement forms. She noted on page 123, Section 4.1 it should include a statement that parking tickets are the responsibility of the employee. Wienen recommended employees submit a signed auto policy along with copies of insurance cards.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
23C-0108 – FEBRUARY 2023 WATER AND WASTEWATER OPERATIONS REPORT BY U.S. WATER
Andrew Schuler, Project Manager, US Water reported the numbers aren’t looking as good as they were. A little less water was produced, however, billing looked a little better last month.
Schuler advised there were two breaks in Indian Ridge.
Schuler advised with the weather getting better, they will try to put more time into leak detection. Renner questioned if US Water had any type of machine that could help with that. Schuler will check with US Water and report back. Schuler stated there are companies with acoustic vehicles that can drive around with a microphone listening for leaks. He noted those can be pricey.
Renner recommended sectioning off areas and doing one at a time. Schuler advised surveyors have been going around listening to hydrants.
23C-0109 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 36 “PERSONNEL POLICIES” OF THE GALENA CODE OF ORDINANCES
Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve the first reading, waive the second reading, of an ordinance amending Chapter 36 “Personnel Policies” of the Galena Code of Ordinances, 23C-0109.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0110 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF GALENA PERSONNEL POLICY HANDBOOK
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by McCoy, to approve a resolution approving the adoption of the City of Galena Personnel Policy Handbook.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0111 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN ESCROW AGREEMENT WITH MIDWEST MEDICAL CENTER AND FIRST COMMUNITY BANK OF GALENA FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOSPITAL TURNING LANE PROJECT ON U.S. HIGHWAY 20
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the escrow agreement with Midwest Medical Center and First Community Bank of Galena for construction of the hospital turning lane project on U.S. Highway 20, 23C-0111.
Discussion: Kieffer advised they will be putting $2.1 million dollars in an escrow account which protects the city.
McCoy recused himself from discussion and voting on this item.
Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Bernstein, Kieffer, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Hahn
The motion carried.
23C-0112 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE DONATION OF 6.2 ACRES OF PROPERTY IN THE CAROLDON BUSINESS PARK SUBDIVISION
Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Hahn, to approve the first reading of an ordinance accepting the donation of 6.2 acres of property in the Caroldon Business Park Subdivision.
Discussion: McCoy stated it was a wonderful donation. City Attorney Nack advised the restrictions on the property have been reduced from 20 years to the donor’s lifetime.
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0113 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON JANITORIAL CONTRACTS WITH MARY HALSTEAD, WHITE CONSTRUCTION AND KAREN WHITE FOR THE PERIOD MAY 1, 2023-APRIL 30, 2024
Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Hahn, to approve the janitorial contracts with Mary Halstead, White Construction and Karen White for the period May 1, 2023-April 30, 2024, to keep pace with the increase in minimum wage, 23C-0113.
Discussion: The increase equates to approximately a 5 percent increase.
Roll Call: AYES: Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0114 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE MUTUAL BOX ALARM SYSTEM (MABAS MASTER AGREEMENT 2022)
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Hahn, to approve the first reading of an ordinance authorizing an intergovernmental agreement for participation in the Mutual Box Alarm System, 23C-0114.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0115 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE PURCHASE OF SELF CONTAINED BREATING APPARATUS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The following proposals were received:
Manufacturer Supplier Price Scott Feld Fire $125,447.00 MSA Sandry Fire $182,563.35
Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus for the fire department from Scott in the amount of $125,000.00 as recommended by Fire Chief, Bob Conley, 23C-0115.
Discussion: Council agreed they have to be replaced.
Roll Call: AYES: McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0116 – WARRANTS
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the Warrants as presented, 23C 0116.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0117 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS
Verizon – Westemeier questioned if we have done a follow-up with Verizon. 23C-0118 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Verizon – Moran advised the mayor has reached out to the CEO of Verizon in New York. He received a response from them. From that came a proposal to build a tower on the Dodge Street standpipe. Preliminary plans have been approved. They are in the process of preparing the final plans. The goal is to have construction completed by the end of the third quarter of 2023. They are currently reviewing the lease which will be brought back to the City Council for approval.
Budget Meeting – The first budget meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 3, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
23C-0119 – MAYOR’S REPORT
Budget time - Mayor Renner asked council members to take a good look at the draft budget. Thank you – Mayor Renner thanked staff for their work on the handbook.
23C-0120 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Wienen, to adjourn.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
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