City of Rock Falls City Council met May 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council of Rock Falls, Illinois was called to order at 5:30 p.m. on May 2, 2023, in the Council Chambers by Mayor Rod Kleckler.
City Clerk Pam Martinez called the roll following the pledge of allegiance. A quorum was present including Mayor Kleckler, Aldermen McKanna, Wangelin, Snow, Babel, Dowd, and Sobottka. In addition, Attorney Matt Cole and City Administrator Robbin Blackert were present. Absent: Alderman Dornes and Alderman Arduini
Audience request:
Marshall Doane presented additional information on the Micron Industrial building and asked that the building be refurbished instead of being torn down.
Terry Fritz questioned the pothole issues on E. 11 St. and several other streets. Upon walking away from the podium Mr. Fritz turned to City Administrator Blackert and called her “Rita” and was confronted by City Administrator Blackert for calling her “Rita”.
Consent Agenda:
Consent Agenda items 1 and 2 were read aloud by City Clerk Pam Martinez.
1. Approval of the minutes of the April 18, 2023, City Council Meeting.
2. Approval of bills as presented.
A motion was made by Alderman Babel to approve the Consent Agenda and second by Alderman Wangelin.
Vote 6 aye, motion carried.
Seating of Newly Elected Officials
Dana Nelson, Whiteside County Clerk, County Canvassing Board of Whiteside County, Illinois completed the Canvass of Votes cast at the April 4, 2023, Consolidated Election. Results are as follows:
Pamela J. Martinez, City Clerk (2-year unexpired term) – 333 Votes
Gabriella McKanna, Ward 1 Alderperson – 78 votes
Cody Dornes, Ward 3 Alderperson – 98 votes
City Clerk Pam Martinez called the roll following the swearing in of the newly elected officials. A quorum was present including Mayor Kleckler, Alderman McKanna, Wangelin, Snow, Dowd, and Sobottka. In addition, Attorney Matt Cole, and City Administrator Robbin Blackert we present. Absent: Alderman Dornes and Arduini.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the appointment of Cathy Arduini to the vacant Ward 4 Alderperson position and second by Alderwoman Sobottka. Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
Community Affairs:
Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce, Sam Smith, Interim Director
1. Summer Splash – Requests for road closures
a. Time: 8 am until 10 pm Friday (6/23) and Saturday (6/24) 8 am until 4 pm
Location: 2nd Street between Wood Avenue and Avenue A.
Reason: To allow a safe walkway from Parking to RB & W park for participants. Also, in case of rain, allows us to move vendors off soft ground and protect the park’s green space.
b. Time: Friday (6/23) from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: 2nd Street just west of Wood Avenue (Slight change from last year) to Emmons.
Reason: Allow safe passage and plenty of room for YMCA Family5K event participants to safely participate. The change from last year, keeping Wood Avenue open, will allow hotel visitors access to the parking lot.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce requests for road closures for Summer Splash and the YMCA 5K race and second by Alderman Wangelin.
Vote via voice, all approved, motion carried.
Proclamation:
Proclamation was read aloud by City Clerk Pam Martinez proclaiming May 9-20, 2023, as National Police Week.
Ordinances for 1st Reading:
1. Ordinance 2023-2607 – Amending Chapter 6 Regarding Square Footage Requirements for Certain Accessory Structures.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve Ordinance 2023 – 2607 – Amending Chapter 6 Regarding Square Footage Requirements for Certain Accessory Structures and second by Alderman Dowd.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
City Administrator:
1. Approve low bid received for the City Hall Bathroom Remodel and award to Gehrke Construction, 421 Grove Street, Dekalb, IL 60115 in the amount of $82,000.00.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the low bid received for the City Hall Bathroom Remodel and award to Gehrke Construction, 421 Grove Street, Dekalb, IL 60115 in the amount of $82,000.00 and second by Alderwoman Sobottka. Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
2. Accept bids received for Section 23-00000-00-GM- Motor Fuel Tax General Maintenance.
A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to accept bids received for Section 23- 00000-00-GM – Motor Fuel Tax General Maintenance and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
City Attorney:
None
City Departments:
None
Alderman Reports / Committee Chairman Requests
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the recommendation from the Utility committee for the Utility Office Write-Off’s for January 2023 – March 2023 in the amount of $5,246.25 and second by Alderman Wangelin.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee the changes to General procedures Governing Utility Services Manual and increase Recording Fee to $68.00 and second by Alderman Dowd.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the recommendation form the Utility Committee to purchase 70 water meters from Ferguson Waterworks, 1720 State Street, Dekalb, IL 60115 in the amount of $10,693.20 and second by Alderman Dowd.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee to purchase a bucket truck from Terex Utilities, 3140 15th Avenue SE, Watertown, SD, 57201 in the amount of $246,830.00 without trade-in and second by Alderman Wangelin.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee to waive bidding for the Traffic Signal Vehicle Video Detection and second by Alderman Dowd.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee to award the installation of Traffic Signal Vehicle Detection at the intersection of 1st Avenue & Dixon Avenue to Helm Electric, 1514 W. Fourth Street, Sterling, IL 61081 in the amount of $32,325.00 and second by Alderman Dowd.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee to waive bidding on a new TRCM-H200 Trash Rate and second by Alderman Wangelin.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee to purchase a new TRCM-H200 Trash Rake at the Hydro-Electric Generating Facility from Kuenz America, 9321 Focal Point 8, Raleigh, NC 27617 in the amount of $562,180.00 and second by Alderman Dowd.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
Alderwoman Sobottka admonished Mr. Fritz for his lack of respect for Alderman and City Employees for his comment to City Administrator Blackert.
Mayor’s Report:
1. Approve the re-appointment of Alderman McKanna as Mayor Pro-Tem (Article III Sec. 2-52).
A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to approve the re-appointment of Alderwoman McKanna as Mayor Pro-Tem (Article III Sec. 2-52) and second by Alderman Dowd.
Vote via voice, 4 aye, 1 abstained (McKanna), motion carried.
2. Approve the appointment of Brian Tribley to the Tourism Committee Chairperson.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the appointment of Brian Tribley to the Tourism Committee Chairperson and second by Alderman Dowd.
Discussion had by Alderman about reporting to the City Council and Alderman Wangelin is on the committee and will report to City Council.
Vote via voice, 4 aye, 1 opposed (Sobottka), motion carried.
3. Approve the appointment of Christina Wolfe to the Tourism Committee.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the appointment of Christina Wolfe to the Tourism Committee and second by Alderman Wangelin.
Vote via voice, all approved, motion carried.
4. Approve the appointment of Sam Smith as the Chamber representative on the Tourism Committee.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the appointment of Sam Smith as the Chamber representative on the Tourism Committee and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.
Vote via voice, all approved, motion carried.
5. Approve appointment of Tom Doig to the Eagle Trail committee.
A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the appointment of Tom Doig to the Eagle Trail Committee and second by Alderman Dowd.
Vote Via voice, all approved, motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to move to Executive Session and second by Alderman Snow (6:13 pm).
1. Personnel – Section 2(c)(1) – Employee hiring, firing, compensation, disciple and performance.
2. Litigation – Section 2(c)(11) – Pending, probable or imminent litigation.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried. (6:13p.m.)
Executive Session results:
A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to return to regular session and second by Alderwoman McKanna (6:57 pm)
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve the appointment of David Miller to the Supervisor position of the Street Department and second by Alderman Snow.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve the hiring of Robert Blackburn and will begin work on Monday, May 8, 2023, and second by Alderwoman McKanna. Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve hiring of Cody Velasquez for summer help and second by Alderman Snow.
Vote 5 aye, motion carried.
A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to adjourn the City Council meeting and second by Alderman Snow (7 pm)
Vote via voice, all approved.
https://rockfalls61071.net/download/agendas_and_minutes/2023_agendas_and_minutes/2023_city_council/2023_city_council_minutes/05-02-2023-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf
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