City of Galena City Council met May 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
23C-0176 – 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 08 May 2023.
23C-0177 – ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
23C-0178 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.
23C-0179 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
23C-0180 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
No reports.
23C-0181 – CITIZENS COMMENTS
Dr. Ralph Losey, 122 Country View Court - Losey spoke in support of the council waiving fees for building permits for the 34 million dollar expansion to the hospital. They will break ground this month. Losey stated the hospital is very beneficial to Galena and Jo Daviess County. The hospital provided $2 million dollars of charity care last year, performed 600 surgical procedures and did thousands of clinical visits. The hospital is open 24 hours per day every day of the year. They provide emergency services by board certified physicians. Losey stated an expanded hospital will be beneficial to the future of Galena with expanded services. Losey urged the council to waive the fees as requested.
Quenton Sprengelmeyer, 411 Park Avenue - Sprengelmeyer read a prepared statement outlining the benefits of becoming a Bird City and urged the council to approve the resolution of support to designate Galena as a Bird City.
Rick Pariser 113 S. High Street – Pariser thanked Alderman Hahn and Alderman McCoy for their service, commitment and dedication to the city.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
23C-0182 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 24, 2023
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by McCoy, to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 24, 2023, 23C-0182.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Hahn, Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
23C-0166 – SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF GALENA FOR ZONING CALENDAR NO. 23A-02, A REQUEST BY WILLIAM NYBO AND GINGER ZAMBRANO TO REZONE 341, 345, 347 AND 349 SPRING STREET FROM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL
Motion: McCoy moved, seconded by Hahn, to approve the second reading of an ordinance amending the zoning map of the City of Galena for Zoning Calendar No. 23A-02, a request by William Nybo and Ginger Zambrano to rezone 341, 345, 347 and 349 Spring Street from Low Density Residential to Downtown Commercial, 23C-0166.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, McCoy, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
SWEARING IN OF OFFICIALS
23C-0182 – SWEARING IN OF NEWLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
City Clerk, Mary Beth Hyde, swore in Alderpersons Cynthia Johnson, Cynthia Tegtmeyer and Jerry Westemeier. Johnson and Tegtmeyer took their seats at the table at 6:45 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA CA23-8
23C-0184 – APPROVAL OF AN EMERGENCY CONTRACT FOR REPAIRS TO WELL #5 EQUIPMENT
23C-0185 – APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT BA24-01 FOR WELL 5 EMERGENCY REPAIRS AND HOSTILE THREATS TRAINING
23C-0186 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE GALENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS FOR THE USE OF TWO LOADING SPACES IN FRONT OF WASHINGTON PARK ON SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023, FOR GALENA CHALKFEST
23C-0187 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO ESTABLISH THE HOURLY PAY RATE FOR PART-TIME POLICE OFFICER AS $24.00 PER HOUR EFFECTIVE MAY 9, 2023
23C-0188 – APPROVAL OF SEASONAL EMPLOYEES IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.6 OF THE PERSONNEL HANDBOOK
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve Consent Agenda CA-08. Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
23C-0189 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST BY MIDWEST MEDICAL CENTER TO WAIVE BUILDING PERMIT FEES FOR THE PLANNED ADDITION
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Johnson, to deny the request by Midwest Medical Center to waive building permit fees for the planned addition, 23C-0189.
Discussion: Bernstein stated, while she very much appreciates what the hospital does for the community, she feels the city would be making a mistake to waive the fees. She feels it would open the door to future requests and would set a precedent that would cause problems down the line. She hopes the city can find another way to show appreciation for what the hospital does for the community.
Westemeier agreed stating the city could possibly reduce the fees down to $100,000. Johnson stated she is not in favor of setting a precedent of not charging permit fees. Tegtmeyer agreed, stating the fees have already been accounted for in the current budget as money coming in to help pay for some of the budgeted items.
Kieffer and Wienen were opposed to waiving the fees. They would be agreeable to reducing them to $100,000.
Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: Westemeier
The motion carried.
23C-0190 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST BY THE GALENA BREWING COMPANY FOR A FESTIVAL PERMIT FOR GRANT PARK, SEPTEMBER 2, 2023, FOR GALENA BREWING SUMMERFEST
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to table the request by the Galena Brewing Company for a festival permit for Grant Park, September 2, 2023, for Galena Brewing Summerfest, 23C-0190.
Discussion: Council would like more information with regard to the planned layout and placement of admissions table.
23C-0191 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE BIRD CITY ILLINOIS INITIATIVE
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve a resolution in support of the Bird City Illinois Initiative, 23C-0191.
Discussion: Bernstein stated there are a number of citizens who are into ecology. It would “put a feather” in their cap if they get the go ahead. Bernstein feels this not only supports our wildlife, but also supports our mission to be a sustainable city.
Renner questioned if the city would be required to set aside habitat. Bernstein advised there are a lot of options and that is not a requirement. Renner also voiced concern with how much work the city would have to do. Renner stated he would be opposed to the city paying the fee as this group would be not-for-profit.
Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0192 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE APPROVAL OF A FINAL SUBDIVISION PLAT REQUEST BY WOLFF WASHES LLC TO DIVIDE LOT 2 OF SCENIC MEADOWS UNIT 2, BLOCK 1 INTO TWO LOTS
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve the final subdivision plat request by Wolff Washes, LLC to divide Lot 2 of Scenic Meadows Unit 2, Block 1 into two lots, 23C-0192.
Discussion: Kieffer advised this was reviewed at the previous meeting and everything was in order.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0193 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE APPOINTMENT OF EMPLOYEES FOR THE PERIOD OF MAY 9, 2023, TO MAY 8, 2024
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the appointment of employees for the period of May 9, 2023, to May 8, 2024, as presented, 23C-0193.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0194 – WARRANTS
Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve the Warrants as presented, 23C 0194.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Wienen
The motion carried.
23C-0195 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS
Murals – Bernstein stated she was impressed by the pictures included in the packet of the murals in the dressing rooms at the pool. She thanked Hillary for making that happen. They look great and are nicely done.
Congratulations – Westemeier congratulated Alderpersons Johnson and Tegtmeyer and welcomed them to the table.
Thank you – Wienen thanked Alderpersons Hahn and McCoy for their time on the council and welcomed Alderpersons Johnson and Tegtmeyer.
Welcome – Kieffer welcomed Alderpersons Johnson and Tegtmeyer.
Thank you – Johnson thanked everyone for their well wishes and stated she is excited to be here.
Thank you – Tegtmeyer thanked everyone for their warm welcome and stated she is excited to be here and is here to do the work.
23C-0196 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Housing Study – Moran advised he sat in on the first meeting of the task force working on the housing angle of the study. The task force will be implementing recommendations from the study and will report back regularly. Moran advised Northwest Community Development will make a presentation at an upcoming meeting. This is an important topic with the upcoming Comprehensive Plan.
Welcome – Moran welcomed Alderpersons Johnson and Tegtmeyer to the council.
23C-0197 – MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Renner thanked Alderpersons Johnson and Tegtmeyer for joining us at the table and welcomed Alderperson Westemeier back to the table as well.
Thank you – Mayor Renner thanked the numerous groups, organizations and individuals who helped with city cleanup during the month of April.
23C-0198 - MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Bernstein, to recess to Executive Session to discuss the following:
∙ Section 2 (c) (2) – Collective negotiating matters and deliberations concerning salary schedules.
∙ Section 2 (c) (22) – Pending, probable or imminent litigation.
∙ Section 2 (c) (21) – Review of Executive Session Minutes.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
The meeting recessed at 7:01 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 7:19 p.m.
23C-0199 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Johnson, to adjourn.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
https://www.cityofgalena.org/documents/filelibrary/side_tabs/agendas__minutes/city_council_agenda/2023/Council_Packet_05_A633FA7F2C546.pdf
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