Pam Bernstein - Ward II Alderman | City of Galena
Pam Bernstein - Ward II Alderman | City of Galena
City of Galena City Council met Feb. 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
24C-0039 – 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 February 2024.
24C-0040 – ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner.
24C-0041 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.
24C-0042 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
24C-0043 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
No reports.
24C-0044 – CITIZENS COMMENTS
Gerald Podraza, 304 Territory Drive – Podraza gave a summary of the efforts being taken to revive the Twin Cities Zephyr from Chicago to Galena. Resolutions have been received from Rochelle, Oregon, Milledgeville, Mount Carroll, Savanna, Carroll County and Galena. No response has been received from East Dubuque. There is a parallel initiative in Freeport to extend the Metra from Rockford to Freeport. They have been working on a funding and feasibility study with Blackhawk Hills Economic Development. They have access to federal money for a feasibility study. Podraza reported that of the one hundred scholarships awarded in Jo Daviess County last year, ninety-five of those students were going out of state to college. Northern Illinois University has endorsed the project in an effort to keep the money in Illinois.
Tom Rynott, Galena Country Tourism – Rynott stated he was available should there be any questions with the events listed on the agenda for action.
Jim Boho, 1477 S. Rocky Hill Road – Boho addressed the topic of the Galena River Watershed Inventory Plan and efforts to maintain and stabilize Blackjack Road as it enters into Galena with the failing Davis Creek. Boho shared contact information for Rebecca Olsen, Olsen Ecological Solutions, LLC.
Amelia Wilson, 505 Park Avenue – Wilson addressed the topic of public restrooms. Wilson was opposed to the idea of putting public restrooms at 403 S. Main Street. She feels the city needs something at Washington Park. She feels restrooms at 403 S. Main Street are too far away and people cannot make it that far. She noted there is already an existing plan for restrooms at Washington Park and recommended the city take a look at them.
CONSENT AGENDA CA24-03
24C-0045 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 22, 2024
24C-0046 – APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION ON THE REVIEW AND POSSIBLE RELEASE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
24C-0047 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE GALENA HIGH SCHOOL FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA CLUB FOR A FLEA MARKET PERMIT FOR A CRAFT FAIR AT THE GALENA MIDDLE SCHOOL ON FEBRUARY 24, 2024, FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 3:00 p.m.
24C-0048 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE GALENA PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR A FESTIVAL PERMIT FOR THIRD ANNUAL PRIDE PICNIC IN GRANT PARK, JUNE 8, 2024, FROM NOON TO 5:00 P.M.
24C-0049 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE JO DAVIESS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR A FESTIVAL PERMIT FOR A DEMOCRACY DAY EVENT AT THE GRANT PARK PAVILION, JULY 13, 2024, FROM 11 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
24C-0050 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY GALENA COUNTRY TOURISM FOR THE #AMAZING FOR ALL BRIDGE FLAG INSTALLATION ON THE KOHLSAAT PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, JUNE 1-30, 2024
24C-0051 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY GALENA COUNTRY TOURISM FOR A STREET DANCE PERMIT FOR THE LIVE @ THE PLAZA EVENT SERIES AT THE GREEN STREET PLAZA, MAY-AUGUST 2024 FROM 5:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.
24C-0052 – APPROVAL OF ILLINOIS EPA PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN #17-6109 LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT REQUEST #3 IN THE AMOUNT OF $145,165.83, INCLUDING ORIGIN DESIGN AND CFPS, INC. INVOICES AND PAY APPLICATION #3 FROM FIVE STAR ENERGY SERVICES
Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve Consent Agenda CA24-03.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner NAYS: None
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
24C-0053 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN AGREEMENT WITH STRAKA JOHNSON ARCHITECTS FOR THE 403 S. MAIN STREET PUBLIC RESTROOM PROJECT
Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the agreement with Straka Johnson Architects for the 403 S. Main Street public restrooms project in an amount not to exceed $29,760, 24C-0053.
Discussion: Tegtmeyer stated she is in favor of moving forward to get a professional plan to determine what it will take along with the cost and the timeline.
Bernstein recommended looking at the responses received from other business owners as we move forward to see if some of the suggestions made might be workable. She further recommended having discussions with Galena Country, as some of the suggestions were directed towards an information center.
Westemeier was opposed to putting $30,000 into architectural plans. He recommended taking a look at the previous study for restrooms in Washington Park. Wienen agreed the restrooms should be at Washington Park.
Johnson feels the money generated from the parking spaces would cover the maintenance costs. Money from other parking spaces could be used to pay for the architectural plans. She feels it is a great space and would make it much easier for new employees to give directions to it.
Kieffer stated was in favor of restrooms but would be willing to take a look at the plans for Washington Park.
Tegtmeyer noted when the building was purchased it was for parking and/or restrooms. She was opposed to going back to a study from the eighties or nineties. She feels this is a creative way for parking to pay for restrooms and construction. The city needs a professional opinion and a plan. Tegtmeyer also feels it is important to have informational displays in there as well. She noted this does not preclude the city from putting in additional restrooms down the road.
Bernstein feels if the city is going to consider restrooms on a different part of Main Street, we are still going to need a study. She was in favor of proceeding with the study. She voiced concern with going back to obsolete plans.
Renner noted the biggest complaints are not being enough parking and not enough restrooms. This gives the city a little of both. Since the city owns the building, he feels this is the route we would take to help alleviate a problem for businesses with people wanting to use restrooms.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Bernstein, Johnson NAYS: Westemeier, Wienen,
The motion carried.
24C-0054 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN AGREEMENT FOR AUDITING SERVICES
Summary of Cost of Auditing Services for April 30,
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | Total | Total* | |
| Benning Group, LLC | |||||||
| Audit | 38,000 | 41,000 | 44,000 | 47,500 | 51,300 | 221,800 | 221,800 |
| Single Audit | 5,000 | 5,250 | 5,500 | 5,750 | 6,000 | 27,500 | 10,250 |
| Total | 43,000 | 46,250 | 49,500 | 53,250 | 57,300 | 249,300 | 232,050 |
| O'Connor, Brooks & Co., P.C. | |||||||
| Audit | 33,000 | 34,650 | 36,400 | 38,600 | 40,700 | 183,350 | 183,350 |
| Single Audit | 10,000 | 10,400 | 10,800 | 11,300 | 11,800 | 54,300 | 20,400 |
| Total | 43,000 | 45,050 | 47,200 | 49,900 | 52,500 | 237,650 | 203,750 |
| Wipfli LLP | |||||||
| Audit | 35,000 | 36,750 | 38,600 | 40,525 | 42,550 | 193,425 | 193,425 |
| Single Audit | 5,000 | 5,100 | 5,250 | 5,400 | 5,650 | 26,400 | 10,100 |
| Total | 40,000 | 41,850 | 43,850 | 45,925 | 48,200 | 219,825 | 203,525 |
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve an agreement with Wipfli for auditing services in the amount of $203,525, 24C-0054.
Discussion: Bernstein noted the firm comes highly recommended by the county and they were low bid.
Council agreed it was good to bring in someone different.
Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Renner NAYS: None
The motion carried.
24C-0055 – WARRANTS
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve the Warrants as presented, 24C-0055.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Renner NAYS: None
The motion carried.
24C-0056 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS
AC/New Boiler – Bernstein stated she noticed in the Department Head Reports, that the pool is in the market for a new AC/Boiler unit and another department needs a furnace as well. She recommended looking in to heat pumps for replacement.
Serving Alcohol – Wienen stated she would like to see an item added to the agenda looking at the possibility of allowing individuals 18 years of age to serve alcohol. Johnson agreed.
Congratulations – Tegtmeyer congratulated Will Anderson for advancing to state for wrestling, the five speech members who advanced to sectionals and Emma Blaum for advancing to state in Oratorical Declamation.
Poet Laureate– Tegtmeyer advised people can apply for Galena’s first Poet Laureate by going to Galenapubliclibrary.org.
24C-0057 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Light Poles – Moran advised the new light poles for the Highway 20 bridge have arrived; however, some parts needed for installation are on backorder until May.
EV Chargers Grant – Moran advised the city recently applied for a regional grant for EV parking stations through Blackhawk Hill Regional Council. He has been notified the grant was not successful. Blackhawk Hills will evaluate the reason and look into the possibility of applying again.
24C-0058 – MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Renner advised he has received comments from people who are happy to see the street sweeper out. Mayor Renner seconded the comments with regard to the kids adding we have a great school and great kids.
24C-0059 - MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to recess to Executive Session to discuss the following:
∙ Section 2 (c) (2) – Collective negotiating matters and deliberations concerning salary schedules.
∙ Section 2 (c) (11) – Pending, probable or imminent litigation.
∙ Section 2 (c) (21) – Review of Executive Session Minutes.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner NAYS: None
The motion carried.
The meeting recessed at 6:53 p.m.
The meeting was reconvened at 7:23 p.m.
24C-0060 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to adjourn.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Renner NAYS: None
The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
https://www.cityofgalena.org/documents/filelibrary/side_tabs/agendas__minutes/city_council_agenda/2024/Council_Packet_02_B8C7828782D23.pdf
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