NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met Oct. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

23C-0404 – 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 23 October 2023.

23C-0405 – ROLL CALL

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

23C-0406 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

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

23C-0407 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

23C-0408 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

No reports.

23C-0409 – CITIZENS COMMENTS

Gerald Podraza, 304 Territory Drive – Podraza advised he was available should the council have any questions with regard to the resolution of support for the revival of Amtrak service.

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Wienen, to move item 23C-0417 on the agenda to prior to the Liquor Commission.

Discussion: None.

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

The motion carried.

23C-0417 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 111 “ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CLASS A LIQUOR LICENSES

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 111 “Alcoholic Beverages” of the Code of Ordinances to increase the number of Class A Liquor Licenses from 10 to 11, 23C-0417.

Discussion: Kieffer stated he did not have a problem with it as there is not a state statute that regulates how many the city can allow.

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

The motion carried.

LIQUOR COMMISSION

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Westemeier, to adjourn as the City Council and reconvene as the Liquor Commission.

Discussion: None.

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

The motion carried.

23C-0410 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN APPLICATION BY ABBEY E. RIEWE, DBA THE GENERAL’S AXE BAR LLC, FOR A CLASS A CORPORATION LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THE GENERAL’S AXE BAR, 120 S. COMMERCE STREET

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the application by Abbey E. Riewe, DBA The General’s Axe Bar LLC, for a Class A Corporation Liquor License for the General’s Axe Bar, 120 S. Commerce Street, 23C-0410.

Discussion: Approval is contingent upon background checks.

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

The motion carried.

23C-0411 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN APPLICATION BY ABBY E. RIEWE FOR A CORPORATION MANAGER’S LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THE GENERAL’S AXE BAR, 120 S. COMMERCE STREET

Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve the application by Abbey E. Riewe, for a Corporation Manager’s Liquor License for the General’s Axe Bar, 120 S. Commerce Street, 23C-0411.

Discussion: None.

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

The motion carried.

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to adjourn as the Liquor Commission and reconvene as the City Council.

Discussion: None.

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

The motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA CA23-19

23C-0412 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 10, 2023

23C-0413 – APPROVAL OF THE APPOINTMENT OF BILL SPIVEY, 416 PAWNEE COURT, TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF BILL LAITY, ENDING JULY 31, 2027

23C-0414 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY J & M DISPLAYS FOR A PERMIT FOR A FIREWORKS DISPLAY AT ASHTON HILLS, 500 WILD INDIGO LANE, FOR OCTOBER 27, 2023

23C-0415 – APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER #1 FOR THE COMMERCE STREET PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

23C-0416 – ACCEPTANCE OF SEPTEMBER 2023 FINANCIAL REPORT

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve Consent Agenda CA23-19. Discussion: None.

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

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

23C-0418 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST BY ABBEY RIEWE, THE GENERAL’S AXE BAR, 120 S. COMMERCE STREET, FOR A LICENSE TO INSTALL A RAMP AND STAIRS ON A CITY SIDEWALK

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Johnson, to deny the request by Abbey Riewe, The General’s Axe Bar, 120 S. Commerce Street, for a license to install a ramp and stairs on a city sidewalk, 23C-0418.

Discussion: Council felt it is not the right place for a ramp and it would cause the loss of parking spots.

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

The motion carried.

23C-0419 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT A FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) BUILDING RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES GRANT AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR SAME WITH THE GALENA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve a resolution to submit a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant and Intergovernmental Agreement for same with the Galena School District, 23C-0419.

Discussion: Tegtmeyer noted this is a grant and is a need. This will not only benefit the school but the wider community in emergency situations. Bernstein agreed, adding it will designate an area that people can go to in an emergency.

Tim Vincent, Superintendent, advised they are looking at doing this at the high school. There have been talks about the potential concept. Nothing has been approved. They are in the process of looking for funding first. They will not know if the grant is awarded for two years. This type of facility requires capacity for 8,000 to 10,000 people and is usually a reenforced gym. Vincent noted half of the money goes into the reinforcement.

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

The motion carried.

23C-0420 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY TO EVALUATE THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY AND EVERYDAY USEFULNESS OF THE REVIVAL OF AMTRAK SERVICE FROM CHICAGO TO EAST DUBUQUE

Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to postpone action to the next meeting to allow the council to gather more information.

The item was postponed.

23C-0421 – U.S. WATER MONTHLY REPORT ON WATER AND SEWER OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

Andrew Schuler presented the monthly report on water and sewer operations and maintenance for the month of September. Schuler highlighted the following:

∙ Wastewater Treatment Plant treated 16,879,000 gallons for an increase of 3 million gallons over the month of August.

∙ Total water produced was 14,391,000 gallons which was down 1.035 million gallons from the month of August.

∙ Billing was at 58% with lost revenue of 41%. The month of August was 70% for billing with a 29% loss.

∙ Fischer has one more water main to install on the highway next to Cox Law Offices.

∙ A new meter along with chemical quills and injectors was installed at Well #7. ∙ Expenses are under budget by $6,227.26.

∙ They have approximately 95 percent of hydrant flushing completed. Some maintenance is required on hydrants.

∙ Semi-annual jetting will begin tomorrow. There are valves that need to be turned before winter along with general operations and maintenance at the plant.

Mayor Renner questioned the status of the motors for the lift stations. Schuler advised two have been installed. One had to be taken for repairs for low oil pressure.

23C-0422 – WARRANTS

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve the Warrants as presented, 23C 0422.

Discussion: Bernstein questioned the bill to Dubuque Mulch in the amount of $11,736. Moran advised this was for new mulch for all of the parks. Specific mulch must be used for playgrounds to meet ADA safety guidelines.

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

The motion carried.

23C-0423 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

Hill Street – Westemeier questioned the status of Hill Street by the firehouse. Renner advised staff is currently working on getting bids out to replace the tubing underground up to the corner, repair hill street, look at the fire department wall and moving the fire hydrant on the corner across the street.

Blacktopping – Westemeier questioned who is responsible for replacing the gravel along the newly blacktopped roads. There is currently a 6-8” drop. Moran advised the Public Works Department is responsible for replacing the gravel.

Hospital Project – Westemeier stated he is glad to see the hospital project is about 90 percent complete. Traffic has been backed up down past the school. It will be nice when it is done.

Comprehensive Plan – Bernstein stated she would encourage the city to move forward with the Comprehensive Plan. It is a big project and the city should get started on it.

Small Town Romantic Getaways – Kieffer stated he heard on the radio that Galena has been ranked #30 out of 600 for best small town romantic getaways.

Congratulations – Tegtmeyer congratulated Bill Spivey on his appointment to the Zoning Board and advised anyone interested in serving on a board can submit interest via the city’s website or can submit interest directly to the mayor.

Code Red – Tegtmeyer thanked Mark Moran for answering her request regarding Code Red and getting more information out on how to apply to receive information. She noted there is everything from signs, to Facebook posts, an option to sign up with your application for water service. The Galena Gazette will also be doing an article.

23C-0424 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Capital Improvement Plan – Work will be starting on the Capital improvement Plan.

Tax Levy – Work will be starting on the new tax levy which must be adopted before the end of December.

Cameras – All of the cameras are now installed and in operation, including the landfill.

23C-0425 – MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Renner stated things are starting to wind down, tourists keep coming. The Halloween parade is this weekend. Be careful and be safe.

23C-0426 – ADJOURNMENT

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to adjourn.

Discussion: None.

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

The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.

https://www.cityofgalena.org/documents/filelibrary/side_tabs/agendas__minutes/city_council_agenda/2023/Council_Packet_11_F100F3C0A312D.pdf