NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met Oct. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

23C-0381 – 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 October 2023.  

23C-0382 – ROLL CALL 

Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer,  Westemeier, Renner 

Absent: Wienen 

23C-0383 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM 

Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.  

23C-0384 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

The Pledge was recited.  

23C-0385 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES 

No reports.  

23C-0386 – CITIZENS COMMENTS 

Gerald Podraza, 304 Territory Drive, Galena, IL - Podraza stated that he has been a resident of  Jo Daviess County since 1975. He has been working for years to get Amtrack train service to  come to Galena. He asked the Council to support a resolution he has presented to restore the Zephyr train route from Chicago with a stop in East Dubuque. Other communities will have stops  so it will be a benefit to all the communities along the way. He plans to meet with the Savanna  city council and other local governments to garner support.  

Cullan Duke of Klinger and Associates, 616 N 24th St, Quincy, IL – Duke stated he was just  here representing the developer for the annexation for Tractor Supply and would be available to  answer any questions. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS 

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Bernstein, to open the Public Hearing on an  annexation agreement between the City of Galena and DSW Investments, LLC for 3.74 acres at  the intersection of US Route 20 West and Bartell Boulevard in Rawlins Township, Jo Daviess  County, Illinois, 23C-0387.  

Discussion: None. 

Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Renner 

NAYS: None 

ABSENT: Wienen 

The motion carried. 

23C-0387 – PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ANNEXATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF  GALENA AND DSW INVESTMENTS, LLC FOR 3.74 ACRES AT THE INTERSECTION OF US ROUTE 20 WEST AND BARTELL BOULEVARD IN RAWLINS TOWNSHIP, JO DAVIESS  COUNTY, ILLINOIS 

Attorney Nack swore in those wishing to testify. 

Testimony: None.  

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to close the Public Hearing on an annexation  agreement between the City of Galena and DSW Investments, LLC for 3.74 acres at the  intersection of US Route 20 West and Bartell Boulevard in Rawlins Township, Jo Daviess County,  Illinois.  

Discussion: None. 

Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Johnson, Renner 

NAYS: None 

ABSENT: Wienen 

The motion carried. 

CONSENT AGENDA CA23-18 

23C-0388 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF  SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 

23C-0389 – APPROVAL OF CITY-WIDE-TRICK-OR-TREAT FROM 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. ON  OCTOBER 31, 2023 

23C-0390 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE GALENA PUBLIC LIBRARY TO RESERVE  THE GRANT PARK PAVILION ON MAY 19, 2024, FOR THE GALENA LITFEST TICKETED  PICNIC 

23C-0391 – APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER #1 FOR THE 2023 STREET REPAVING  PROGRAM 

23C-0392 – APPROVAL OF ANNUAL CONTRACT WITH JO DAVIESS COUNTY ANIMAL  CONTROL SERVICES FOR STRAY DOG PICK-UP SERVICES FOR THE PERIOD  DECEMBER 1, 2023-NOVEMBER 30, 2024 

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve Consent Agenda CA23-18.  

Discussion: None. 

Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Renner 

NAYS: None 

ABSENT: Wienen 

The motion carried. 

NEW BUSINESS 

23C-0393 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF  ANNEXATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF GALENA AND DSW INVESTMENTS,  LLC FOR 3.74 ACRES AT THE INTERSECTION OF US ROUTE 20 WEST AND BARTELL  BOULEVARD IN RAWLINS TOWNSHIP, JO DAVIESS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer to approve the first reading of an  ordinance authorizing the execution of an Annexation Agreement between the City of Galena and  DSW Investments, LLC for 3.74 acres at the intersection of US Route 20 West and Bartell  Boulevard in Rawlins Township, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, 23C-0393.  

Discussion: Westemeier stated that the lot is sitting empty, and this will be a great addition to  the city. Kieffer agreed stating it would add to the tax base.  

Mayor Renner agreed stating new business is always good. 

Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Renner 

NAYS: None 

ABSENT: Wienen 

The motion carried. 

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer to waive the second reading of an ordinance  authorizing the execution of an Annexation Agreement between the City of Galena and DSW  Investments, LLC for 3.74 acres at the intersection of US Route 20 West and Bartell Boulevard in  Rawlins Township, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, 23C-0393.  

Discussion: None.  

Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner 

NAYS: None 

ABSENT: Wienen 

The motion carried. 

23C-0394 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP, ZONING  CALENDAR NO. 23A-03, AN APPLICATION BY DSW INVESTMENTS, LLC AND PRIMAX  PROPERTIES, LLC FOR A REZONING OF 3.74 ACRES FROM LIMITED AGRICULTURAL TO  GENERAL COMMERCIAL FOR A TRACTOR SUPPLY STORE 

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve the first reading of an ordinance  amending the zoning map, Zoning Calendar No. 23A-03, an application by DSW Investments,  LLC and Primax Properties, LLC for a rezoning of 3.74 acres from Limited Agricultural to General  Commercial for a Tractor Supply store, 23C-0394 and waive the second reading.  

Discussion: None.  

Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner 

NAYS: None 

ABSENT: Wienen 

The motion carried. 

23C-0395 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A POLICY FOR THE USE OF  PESTICIDES ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTY 

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve the policy for the use of  pesticides on city-owned property, 23C-0395.  

Discussion: Westemeier wanted to add to the policy to say that they can spray weeds on the  cobblestones on Perry Street. He said that the area looks terrible since we stopped spraying the  weeds. He stated that our personnel will have to spend a lot of time up there, at least half a day, weed eating to keep the weeds down. Weed eating also throws rocks all over. Spraying would keep it under control longer. He asked if they could just put signs up on each end saying that it  was sprayed. 

Bernstein disagreed. The policy includes that the City Administrator can make a decision on a  case-by-case basis.  

Kieffer said he agreed with Westemeier that this area will need to be sprayed and the restrictions  are spelled out. 

Tegtmeyer said she supports the way it is written so the council does not have to discuss each  area. The policy should be followed as written then when all techniques are exhausted, the City  Administrator can decide on a case-by-case basis if it meets the criteria for the special exception  list. 

Mayor Renner agreed that the policy should be followed then the City Administrator can decide on a case-by-case basis. 

Bernstein said the City Administrator has integrated pest management into this policy. She is very  happy to see this.  

Kieffer agreed that the City Administrator can make these decisions if a pesticide is needed. Mayor Renner agreed with going with the way the policy is written.  

Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Renner 

NAYS: None 

ABSENT: Wienen 

The motion carried. 

23C-0396 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 111 “ALCOHOLIC  BEVERAGES” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO MODIFY THE ONE-DAY CLASS “E”  LIQUOR LICENSE  

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the first reading of an ordinance  amending Chapter 111 “Alcoholic Beverages” of the Code of Ordinances to modify the one-day  Class “E” Liquor License, 23C-0396.  

Discussion: Kieffer sees no problem starting at 11:00 a.m. under special circumstances. 

Mayor Renner said the Lion’s Club was asking if they could start at 11:00 since they start serving  food at 11:00.  

Mayor Renner clarified that the default time would remain noon to 10:00 p.m. but requests to start  sales earlier than noon would be handled on a case-to-case basis. He stated that it is not a given  that they can start early. 

Westemeier said he likes that it will be handled on a case-by-case basis. 

Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Johnson, Renner 

NAYS: None 

ABSENT: Wienen 

The motion carried. 

23C-0397 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE DECLARING SURPLUS PROPERTY (2011  DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK)

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve the first reading and waive the  second reading of an ordinance declaring the 2011 Dodge Ram pickup truck surplus property,  23C-0397.  

Mayor Renner stated the police department received delivery of their new vehicle and transferred  their oldest truck to city hall. The truck to be declared surplus is a 2011 truck previously  transferred to city hall. The 2011 truck will be put out for bid. 

Discussion: None.  

Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Renner 

NAYS: None 

ABSENT: Wienen 

The motion carried. 

23C-0398 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE  IMLRMA MINIMUM/MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT  

Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer to approve the first reading, and waive the  second reading of an ordinance authorizing the execution of the IMLRMA Minimum/Maximum  Contribution Agreement, 23C-0398.  

Discussion: Mayor Renner stated that the premiums are a pretty good deal and ILMRMA  supplies great service. 

Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Renner 

NAYS: None 

ABSENT: Wienen 

The motion carried. 

23C-0399 – WARRANTS 

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the Warrants as presented,  23C-0399.  

Discussion: Bernstein asked that someone refresh her memory on the Origin Design invoice. 

City Engineer, Matt Oldenburg, replied it was for the preliminary design of Franklin Street from  Exchange Street to Hill Street. 

Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner 

NAYS: None 

ABSENT: Wienen 

The motion carried. 

23C-0400 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS 

Johnson - Thanked the city workers that helped with the Country Fair. Traffic-wise it was great. 

Tegtmeyer - Said “ditto on Johnson’s comment”. She said great job to Mark Moran on the well  written pesticide policy. She then talked about October being domestic violence awareness  month and that Riverview Center is our local contact. She stated that if you know someone in  need, they can call 815-777-3680 or go to their website.

Bernstein - The new Turner Hall sign looks great. Also mention that the purple lights you see on  houses is for awareness of domestic abuse and that Riverview Center can help. 

Westemeier – He said the parking lot next to City Hall looks great. Also, great job to everyone at  Country Fair. 

23C-0401 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 

Moran reported the hospital turning lane is in the second of three phases. The final phase is full  paving and striping and should be complete by the second week in November. He reminded the  council that the turning lane project is not a city project but rather a hospital project.  

He also explained that the lead line water service replacement program will be starting very soon. Letters will be mailed to those affected in the coming week and the contractor is planning to work  through the winter. There will be no cost to the homeowner for any of the work. 

23C-0402 – MAYOR’S REPORT 

Mayor Renner said great job to everyone, city crews, public works and EMT’s at Country Fair. He stated that the turning lanes look great at the hospital and the Spring Street project will be  done soon. 

23C-0403 – ADJOURNMENT 

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson to adjourn.  

Discussion: None. 

Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner NAYS: None 

ABSENT: Wienen 

The motion carried. 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m. 

https://www.cityofgalena.org/documents/filelibrary/side_tabs/agendas__minutes/city_council_minutes/2023/cc101023_DA27EC347803D.pdf