City of Galena City Council met June 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
23C-0222 – 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 12 June 2023.
23C-0223 – ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner
Absent: Wienen
23C-0224 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.
23C-0225 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
23C-0226 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
No reports.
23C-0227 – CITIZENS COMMENTS
Amelia Wilson, 505 Park Avenue – Wilson spoke on the need for public restrooms on Main Street. Wilson stated the elderly and heavy-set people have a difficult time making it back to the existing restrooms. Wilson stated all of the drinking festivals are not making the situation any better.
CONSENT AGENDA CA23-11
23C-0228 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 22, 2023
23C-0229 – APPROVAL OF A FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE ART AND RECREATION CENTER FOR YOUTH SPORTS SERVICES
23C-0230 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE GALENA-JODAVIESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE “HEROES FOR HISTORY” STAIR CHALLENGE, 8:00 A.M. TO NOON, SEPTEMBER 9, 2023
23C-0231 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY MIDWEST MEDICAL CENTER HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER FOR THE 19TH ANNUAL FUN WALK/RUN, 9:00 A.M. TO NOON, SEPTEMBER 9, 2023
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve Consent Agenda CA23-11. Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Wienen
The motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
23C-0213 – SECOND READING AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE ABATING CERTAIN TAXES LEVIED BY THE CITY OF GALENA FOR THE GUY’S TOWING PROJECT
Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the second reading of an ordinance abating certain taxes levied by the City of Galena for the Guy’s Towing Project, 23C 0213.
Discussion: Tegtmeyer clarified that the abatement does not travel when the lot is sold to a new business.
Johnson stated for future request, the council should consider the balance between the benefit for the city and the benefit for the business owner prior to approving tax abatements. Johnson feels for what the city is getting for 10 years, this is not a good deal.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: Johnson
ABSENT: Wienen
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
23C-0232 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 111 “ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ADD A “SERVICE, INSTRUCTION, OR EXHIBITION” LIQUOR LICENSE
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 111 “Alcoholic Beverages” of the Code of Ordinances to add a “Service, Instruction, or Exhibition” liquor license, 23C-0232.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Wienen
The motion carried.
23C-0233 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A CONTRACT TO INSTALL A VIDEO CAMERA SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AT THE OLD LANDFILL
Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve a contract to install a video camera surveillance system at the old landfill, amended to approve installing one camera for surveillance at the landfill, 23C-0233.
Discussion: Tegtmeyer feels a need has been identified and this will help solve that need. While it is expensive, there is a safety concern as far as people dumping stuff that could be potentially hazardous to the neighbors.
Moran advised there is $20,000 in this year’s budget for new video surveillance equipment.
Johnson stated she is not as concerned with surveillance of people dumping but more that it is a place that has become a hangout after hours. With the installation of a camera, it might be a bigger deterrent.
Kieffer stated there have been very few incidents with people dumping the wrong stuff. He feels $10,800 is a lot of money to spend and it could be spent better somewhere else.
Renner noted in addition to the installation charges, there will be monthly electricity charges as well.
Council discussed and a recommendation to install one camera was made.
Tegtmeyer questioned what the difference in cost would be with the installation of one camera vs. two cameras. Moran advised installing one camera would save approximately $2,500.
Bernstein stated she would be in favor starting out with one camera so there are some financial savings. If one camera is not adequate, we can look at it again.
Amended
Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, to amend the motion to approve installing one camera for surveillance at the landfill, 23C-0233.
Discussion: None.
Amended
Motion
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Wienen
The motion carried.
Main
Motion
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Wienen
The motion carried.
23C-0234 – WARRANTS
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve the Warrants as presented, 23C-0234.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Wienen
The motion carried.
23C-0235 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS
Hill Street Steps – Bernstein thanked the Public Works Department for repairing the Hill Street steps. It is a good improvement.
Lead Service Line Grant – Westemeier stated he is glad to hear we got the grant for replacing lead service pipes. He will be glad to get that going and getting the lead out of houses. Tegtmeyer agreed.
Highway 20 – Westemeier stated they are making good headway on the Highway 20 project.
Thank you – Johnson thanked the Galena EMS and the Galena Police Department for being out at the picnic this weekend. They did a wonderful job, and it was a wonderful event.
Construction – Kieffer noted there is a lot of construction going on in Galena. He questioned why the sidewalk construction has come to a halt. He noted the Commerce Street sidewalks are awful and an embarrassment to the city.
23C-0236 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Lead Service Line Grant – Moran advised the city received $2.35 million dollars from the EPA. He thanked Matt Oldenburg for the work he has put in over the past two years. He did work surveying the community, mapping the design work and sending out bids. Community Funding and Planning out of Stockton helped out as well.
Dog Park – Moran reminded everyone the dog park grand opening will be Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Sidewalks – Moran advised the city has a contract with Louie’s Trenching for the sidewalks. Under the contract, they are responsible for replacing the sidewalks on Main Street by the end of June. The last block to complete is from Franklin Street to Meeker Street. Commerce and the side streets are required to be done by the end of September.
23C-0237 – MAYOR’S REPORT
Lead Service Line Grant – Mayor Renner thanked Mark Moran, Matt Oldenburg and Jill Peppin for getting the grant. He noted this may be one of the biggest grants the city has ever received.
Dog Park – Mayor Renner announced the city received a check in the amount of $5,000 from the Illinois Realtors Association for the dog park.
23C-0238 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to adjourn.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Wienen
The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
https://www.cityofgalena.org/documents/filelibrary/side_tabs/agendas__minutes/city_council_minutes/2023/cc061223_D73674878CF95.pdf
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