NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met Jan. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

24C-0001 – 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 January 2024.

24C-0002 – ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen (present electronically via phone), Renner.

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve allowing Alderperson Wienen to attend the meeting electronically via phone.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

24C-0003 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

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

24C-0004 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

24C-0005 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

No reports.

24C-0006 – CITIZENS COMMENTS

Andrew Stangl, 1818 Donegan Street – Stangl addressed the topic of open burns. Stangl has lived next to the landfill and has dealt with this issue for a long time. While he understands people do not like it due to allergies and smoke, he feels a reasonable open burn period would be beneficial.

Ben Petitgout, 708 N. Division Street – Petitgout was in favor of repealing the open burn ban. He feels open burn is still being done to a degree as fire pits are not a part of the ban. Petitgout feels a limited time in the spring and fall does not hurt anybody. He noted the ban has simply moved the open burn to the fringes of the city to be burned once or twice per year. This burn causes a huge smoldering process and lasts for days and/or weeks. Petitgout urged the council to repeal the ban and allow open burn on a limited nature.

CONSENT AGENDA CA24-01

24C-0007 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 26, 2023

24C-0008 – APPROVAL OF PAY APPLICATION #1 FOR THE HILL STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

24C-0009 – APPROVAL OF PAY APPLICATION #2 FOR COMMERCE STREET PARKING LOT

24C-0010 – APPROVAL OF ILLINOIS EPA PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN #17-6109 LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT REQUEST #2 IN THE AMOUNT OF $163,506.77, INCLUDING ORIGIN DESIGN AND CFPS, INC. INVOICES AND PAY APPLICATION #2 FROM FIVE STAR ENERGY SERVICES

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve Consent Agenda CA24-01. Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

23C-0286 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A PLAN OF USE FOR THE CITY OWNED PROPERTY AT 403 S. MAIN STREET

Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to utilize the property at 403 S. Main Street for restrooms and tourist information partnering with Galena Country Tourism, 23C-0286.

Discussion: Bernstein was strongly in favor of restrooms and feels it is a reasonable idea. Restrooms are desperately needed on Main Street, and it will be advantageous to have visitor information there as well. Bernstein was concerned with having to choose a retailer and felt this would provide a solution to that.

Johnson agreed stating she would like to see restrooms on Main Street. She felt the money from the parking spaces would cover the maintenance and cleaning costs for the restrooms and make it self-sustaining.

Kieffer noted if there were other people in the building, the city would have to pay real estate taxes on the building. Bernstein stated she does not think Galena Country would staff the building. They would provide brochures and/or a video presentation. Kieffer was opposed to anything other than public restrooms.

Westemeier was opposed to spending money on putting in public restrooms a block away from another restroom. He recommended selling the building and parking area. Additional parking could be added to the Meeker Street Lot to more than make up for the spaces lost. Westemeier was opposed to spending $400,000 on restrooms.

Tegtmeyer noted when the building was purchased by the previous council, the only thing mentioned was public parking and restrooms. Tegtmeyer feels that is what the building was purchased for, and the city needs to answer the needs of the city. The city can figure out where the funding is coming from. She is committed to figuring out what is the best use for the citizens and visitors of Galena.

Wienen stated she would be opposed to retail. She would be in favor of selling the building and investing in restrooms somewhere else.

Renner was in favor of restrooms and parking at this time.

Westemeier recommended tabling until such time as the city could get more information on what it would cost. Tegtmeyer was opposed. She felt the city needs to decide as to what the building will be used for. She felt tabling it would just be kicking the plan down the street.

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

NAYS: Westemeier, Wienen,

The motion carried.

23C-0503 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FISCAL YEARS 2025-29 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve the Fiscal Year 2025-29 Capital Improvement Plan, 23C-0503.

Discussion: Bernstein recommended the city do some research on the septic systems in town to determine how old they are. If they are old, she would like to see the priority moved up on them as they tend to leak when they are older. She would like to get everyone on the city sewer.

Kieffer feels anything relating to public safety should be a high priority.

Johnson feels the pool is a wonderful amenity and needs to be maintained to avoid bigger expenses down the road.

Tegtmeyer stated he would like to add Dell Street to the street improvements. Dell Street has never been paved. Renner advised once the highway project is complete, there will only be a short section of Dell Street that needs to be done and it will be done at that time.

Westemeier stated he would like to see the sidewalks installed from Cobblestone to the highway. He also recommended the replacement of the wooden steps in the police department parking lot as well as the North High steps to Meeker Street.

Renner stated the Capital Improvement Plan deals with what the town needs. In the end it comes down to how much money is coming in and what takes priority. It serves as a good guideline for everyone who wants to look at it. Renner recommended approving it as presented.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

24C-0011 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE POLICY FOR OPEN BURNING

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve a policy for open burning with 4 days in May and 4 days in November, 24C-0011.

Discussion: Westemeier was in favor of allowing open burns twice per year. People will burn leaves for a couple of hours and be done. It will provide for less at the landfill to be burned in December.

Kieffer stated he originally voted in favor of the ban but has since reconsidered. He has had many residents ask him to support open burns. He was in favor of allowing open burns in the spring and fall.

Tegtmeyer noted the reason for the ban was because it was unhealthy and unsafe. That has not changed. She feels it should be about health and safety and not convenience as the smoke contains dangerous chemicals and carcinogens. Tegtmeyer recommended looking at in on a case-by-case basis and allowing it in certain areas. Tegtmeyer stated she is opposed to opening up open burns but is not opposed to allowing it in certain circumstances.

Johnson was opposed to opening up open burn. She does not have a problem with people with large properties such as Stangl’s being allowed to burn. They have a big enough property that they can burn far enough away. She was in favor of looking at exceptions as they come up.

Wienen stated she had a respectable number of people reach out to her on this issue. She feels there should not be exceptions to the rule. She was in favor of allowing open burns for four days in the spring and four days in the fall.

Bernstein stated she is opposed for health reasons. The city offers a simple alternative by picking up yard waste for one month in the spring and one month in the fall.

Renner stated he originally voted against it. At the time the vote was taken, there was not a full board present. While the city does have the pickup, and will continue to have the pickup, he feels there needs to be some days to burn in the spring and fall.

Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Kieffer, Westemeier, Renner

NAYS: Bernstein, Johnson, Tegtmeyer

The motion carried.

24C-0012 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING 3.74 ACRES OF TERRITORY IN RAWLINS TOWNSHIP (TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY)

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the first reading, waive the second reading of an ordinance annexing 3.74 acres of territory in Rawlins Township, Tractor Supply Company, 24C-0012.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

24C-0013 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE PURCHASE OF NEW BODY VIDEO CAMERAS AND IN-SQUAD VIDEO CAMERAS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve the purchase of new body video cameras and in-squad video cameras for the police department, 24C-0013.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

24C-0014 – WARRANTS

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve the Warrants as presented, 24C 0013.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSTAIN: Wienen

The motion carried.

24C-0015 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

The council told everyone to stay safe during the upcoming snowstorm and thanked the Public Works crew in advance for the snow cleanup!

24C-0016 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Collective Bargaining Contract – Moran advised the Police Department Collective Bargaining Contract will expire on April 30, 2024. The city has received notice that they are ready to begin bargaining.

Cobblestone Sidewalks – Moran advised Matt Oldenburg has been working on the Cobblestone sidewalks. While it seems simple, there were some questionable right-of-way issues. A professional surveyor was hired. The city will need to obtain an easement between Dupaco and Culvers in order to get to the highway. The bids should go out by the end of the fiscal year.

24C-0017 – MAYOR’S REPORT

Oil up your shovels!

24C-0018 - MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to recess to Executive Session to discuss the following:

∙ Section 2 (c) (1) – Employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline and performance.

∙ Section 2 (c) (11) – Pending, probable or imminent litigation.

∙ Section 2 (c) (21) – Review of Executive Session Minutes.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

The meeting recessed at 7:08 p.m.

The meeting reconvened at 7:14 p.m.

24C-0019 – ADJOURNMENT

Motion: Westemeier 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 7:15 p.m.

 https://www.cityofgalena.org/documents/filelibrary/side_tabs/agendas__minutes/city_council_minutes/2024/cc010824_A51D784B271A2.pdf