City of Galena City Council met July 10.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
23C-0256 – 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 10 July 2023.
23C-0257 – ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
23C-0258 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.
23C-0259 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
23C-0260 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
No reports.
23C-0261 – CITIZENS COMMENTS
Jeffrey Wilson, High Street – Wilson stated he was here to clarify an inappropriate posting on social media about a police lieutenant. Wilson stated the officer in question needs to be looked into. He has had two assault reports within the past two weeks. Wilson recommends the use of an outside agency vs. in house. Wilson further noted the cameras at the intersection of Main and Franklin Streets are inoperable. This gives the community a false sense of security. Wilson encouraged the council to get the cameras that are already installed up and running before installing more cameras. Wilson stated he enjoys walking around this beautiful town; however, he feels the safety of people is not being considered downtown. There have been many complaints. Wilson encouraged the council to get the cameras rolling on Franklin Street.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Bernstein, to open the public hearing on a request by Terry Garrow, 1365 Field Street, to vacate a section of the Turney Street right-of-way adjacent to his property.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0262 – PUBLIC HEARING ON A REQUEST BY TERRY GARROW, 1365 FIELD STREET, TO VACATE A SECTION OF THE TURNEY STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY ADJACENT TO HIS PROPERTY
Testimony: None.
Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to close the public hearing on a request by Terry Garrow, 1365 Field Street, to vacate a section of the Turney Street right-of-way adjacent to his property.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA CA23-13
23C-0245 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 26, 2023
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve Consent Agenda CA23-13. Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
23C-0264 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST BY TERRY GARROW, 1365 FIELD STREET, TO VACATE A SECTION OF THE TURNEY STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY ADJACENT TO HIS PROPERTY
Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve the request by Terry Garrow, 1365 Field Street, to vacate a section of the Turney Street right-of-way adjacent to his property, 23C-0264.
Discussion: Tegtmeyer stated this is a mystery street in the middle of a house and this settles it.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0265 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A FACILITIES SPACE LEASE WITH VERIZON WIRELESS FOR ANTENNA AND GROUND SPACE AT THE DODGE STREET STANDPIPE
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the facilities space lease with Verizon Wireless for antenna and ground space at the Dodge Street standpipe contingent upon approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the small equipment building and final plans and permitting by the City, 23C-0265.
Discussion: Westemeier stated this has been a long time coming. He hopes it will be a silent building and will help alleviate the cell phone issues we have dealing with the past couple of years. Kieffer agreed, adding it will make a lot of people happy and will improve service downtown.
Bernstein questioned how the Historic Preservation Commission ruled on this. She was advised they approved it and had no limitations on the building. Bernstein stated she is concerned it is starting to look like an industrial site. She urged them to do what they could to minimize that, recommending the use of a darker color.
Renner agreed this has been a long time coming and it should help with the pay stations and parking lots downtown.
Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0266 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE COMMERCE STREET PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS
The following bids were received:
Company CostLouie’s Trenching Service $159,770.00Ben Wienen Excavating & Landscaping $195,630.00M & N Sproule Construction $259,735.00
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve a contract for the Commerce Street parking lot improvements with Louie’s Trenching Service in the amount of $159,770.00, 23C-0266.
Discussion: Westemeier stated he has been wanting to get this done for the last couple of years. It will clean up an eyesore. Kieffer agreed.
Renner advised the city is still waiting to hear back on the grant for electric chargers.
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
23C-0267 – U.S. WATER OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MONTHLY REPORT
Andrew Schuler presented the report. June is looking a lot better than the last two months. A leak was repaired on Meeker Street. Usage has been down by approximately 200,000 gallons per day since the repair. June was at 14.5 million gallons compared to 20-21 million gallons in prior months.
Renner questioned if it was difficult to track usage with the Highway 20 construction. Schuler advised they use sone water from a metered connection. Lots of times they use storm water.
Schuler advised they are slowly improving meters which has improved the numbers. They will continue to look for leaks. Schuler advised they have looked at a satellite. While it is pricey, it would be beneficial over a period of time. The satellite looks at vegetational growth from month to month.
Schuler advised, with Cartograph, they are taking pictures when they are out flushing and adding the information to the system. With this system, they are able to document when a valve is closed so everyone knows and has access to information in the field.
Tegtmeyer questioned on average what the monetary savings was for the leak that was fixed. Schuler did not have the information but advised he would calculate it.
Johnson questioned if they were able to use the stethoscope system to listen for leaks. Schuler advised during the leak study, they use an old and new set of microphones. This allows them to hear rocks tumbling. Schuler advised a correlator was purchased with several other towns. This has also helped.
23C-0268 – WARRANTS
Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve the Warrants as presented, 23C 0268.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Wienen
The motion carried.
23C-0269 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS
Verizon – Wienen stated it is fabulous to see Verizon here.
Rec Park – Westemeier stated he was at Rec Park over the weekend. The park is looking nice. There were a lot of people in the park and the pool was full.
Tot Lot Park – Westemeier advised Tot Lot Park is being used a lot. He questioned when the benches would be installed. Moran advised the fountain will be going in in about two weeks, so they are coordinating the cement with that project.
Thank you – Bernstein advised her dog says “thank you” for the dog park. She and her friends are enjoying it.
Yoga – Johnson advised there is pop up yoga in Grant Park on Saturday mornings and invited the mayor to join any time.
Verizon – Tegtmeyer stated she is also excited about Verizon.
Meetings – Tegtmeyer stated she would like to encourage the next steps on the option of having city council meetings broadcast with recordings available as well.
23C-0270 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Garbage Contract – Moran expects the new garbage proposal any day now. They have verbally agreed that they will not stop service before the end of the contract.
Commerce Street Lot – Moran advised they also have street lighting planned for the Commerce Street lot. The estimated cost is $15,000 to $20,000 to add period lighting. The total project cost is under budget.
Audit – Moran advised the field work for the audit began today. He expects to have a report within the next couple of months.
Meeting – Moran advised the regular meeting of July 24, 2023, has been changed. The meeting will be held July 31, 2023.
Franklin Street Cameras – Moran advised staff is working on the power for the cameras at Franklin and Main Street. He spoke with Sand Prairie Wireless last week and asked them to put a priority on it. They should be up and running soon.
23C-0271 – MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Renner stated we had a nice warm 4th of July with lots of people and great fireworks. Mayor Renner also shared he ran into a friend who grew up in Galena and now lives in Freeport that brought his dog up to try out the new dog park.
23C-0272 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Westemeier, to adjourn.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Renner
NAYS: None
The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
https://www.cityofgalena.org/documents/filelibrary/side_tabs/agendas__minutes/city_council_minutes/2023/cc071023_61E55B50FA305.pdf
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