NW Illinois News

City of East Dubuque City Council met March 18.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

1. 24-0315 Call to Order – Mayor Digman

Start Time: 6:00 p.m.

Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier, Mayor Digman and Attorney Hess Absent – Alderperson Robey

2. 24-0316 Staff Reports

a. City Manager Report

After the action taken last meeting Pam has taken her oath which is included in the packet. She is the acting Treasurer.

News on the Sherwood property. Looks like there should be a sale going through on that. As part of that City Manager Seitz agreed to go to the Judge and try to reduce the fines. If anyone wants any more information or concerns just see him.

The extra land at the Water Tower site has been surveyed. Probably the entrance for that land will come off the entrance for the Water Tower. Trying to figure out what to do with the drainage system there but moving ahead with that.

NuEra dispensary proposal down by Family Beer have applied for their conditional use permit. The hearing will be on the 3rd of April with a special council meeting on the 9th of April. Been a long time but looks like they are ready to move forward.

b. Mayor Report

After the call to order Mayor Digman gave our sympathies to the families of Joe Erschen and David Fluhr who had recently passed. He also asked for a moment of silence for them.

East Dubuque Lions Club will be hosting their annual Easter Egg hunt at Dunleith Park on Saturday March 30, 2024 at Noon.

Scouting for food will be Saturday April 13, 2024 from 9 am till noon. If items have not been picked up by eleven call the troop and they will take care of it. This is for the East Dubuque Food Pantry.

Went ahead and read the second Transparency Report after the first one six months ago. Explains everything that has been happening in the last 6 months. This can be seen on the website under Agenda and Transparency.

c. Alderperson Report

i. Belken

ii. Burgmeier

iii. Degenhardt

Any new offers on the Henkle Estate. No new offers that the Attorney Hess knows of.

People are saying stuff is still being taken from down there. Attorney Hess mentioned that it was reported by one neighbor and was sent to the Police Chief to keep an eye on it.

iv. Fluhr

v. Meier

vi. Robey

d. City Attorney, Susan Hess

Want to give an update on the closing of 90 Sinsinawa Ave. The title work is done and working with the buyer’s finance to schedule a closing date. Hope that will be in the next week or so. Have already closed on 166 Sinsinawa Ave property.

e. Police Chief, Luke Kovacic

i. February Monthly Report

f. Public Works Director, Mark Fluhr/Tony VanOstrand

g. Fire Chief, Joe Heim

3. 24-0317 Speakers from the Floor

Gerold Podraza came back to speak to Council about reviving the Twin City Zephyr from Chicago to East Dubuque. Wanted to let council know that they now have the backing of the three major colleges in Dubuque. Asked if there were any questions and none was asked.

4. 24-0318 Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 03/04/24, Public Safety Report(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council 03/04/24, Public Safety Report(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderperson Meier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Robey

OLD BUSINESS:

5. 24-0310 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Ordinance to Borrow Funds from the Water Pollution Control Loan Program for the Oxford Street Sewer Improvements Project in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Jill Pepin discussed this earlier at the 5:30 Public Meeting. See the minutes following these minutes.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve An Ordinance to Borrow Funds from the Water Pollution Control Loan Program for the Oxford Street Sewer Improvements Project second by Alderperson Degenhardt ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Robey

NEW BUSINESS:

6. 24-0319 Discussion and Possible Action to Review Bids for Surplus Equipment in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Reviewed bids for the 1981 Ford Cabover Fire Truck asking $3,000 as is.

Mitchel Tigges bid of $2,750.00.

Christopher Turner bid of $2,233.00

Ryan Naab bid of $1,525.00

Asked Chief Heim if this was the one that would have needed $4,000.00 to fix it. Yes, it is.

No action needed.

7. 24-0320 Discussion and Possible Action to Award Bids on Surplus Equipment in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Mitchel Tigges with the bid of $2,750.00 was the bid that was accepted.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Award Mitchel Tigges Bid for 1981 Fire Truck second by Alderperson Meier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Robey

8. 24-0321 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Ordinance Authorizing Execution for the Sale of Surplus Municipal Property at 339-341 Sinsinawa Avenue for the City of East Dubuque in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This is a duplex property and we have gone through the process to bring it for sale. Asked what the ideal amount of what city is looking for. The appraised price was $40,000.00 if a person could have access to it and less if not. Note the lot adjacent to it is for sale by the private owner. There has been more interest since the Public Works team took the back porch off.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve An Ordinance Authorizing Execution for the Sale of Surplus Municipal Property at 339-341 Sinsinawa Avenue second by Alderperson Burgmeier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Robey

9. 24-0322 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Mayor to Sign Water Pollution Control Loan Application for the Indian Hills Phase 1 Project in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Mayor to Sign Water Pollution Control Loan Application for the Indian Hills Phase 1 Project second by Alderperson Degenhardt ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Robey

10. 24-0323 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Illinois Department of Labor Payment for Case Number 2023-PW-WA04-4060 Fire Hydrants for $1,322.24 in the City of East Dubuque,Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

We had at the last meeting a similar case. The Department of Labor had found that notice was not given about the project being prevailing wage. This is the amount that was fined against us. No appeal on this. No.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Illinois Department of Labor Payment for Case Number 2023-PW-WA04-4060 Fire Hydrants for $1,322.24 second by Alderperson Burgmeier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Robey

11. 24-0324 Discussion and Possible Action to Authorizing Contract with Cindy Parchert from Bohnsack & Frommelt LLP for Fiscal Year 2024 in Amount Not to Exceed $50,000.00 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This brings into account all the work that Cindy has done up to this point to bring our books up to date. As well as the work she is doing to close out the fiscal year, develop a budget, controls in place and to see we are whole financially. All this while going through the recruitment of finding a Treasurer.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve Authorizing Contract with Cindy Parchert from Bohnsack & Frommelt LLP for Fiscal Year 2024 in Amount Not to Exceed $50,000.00 second by Alderperson Belken ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Robey

12. 24-0325 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Resolution Authorizing Designated Expenditures to Appropriate TIF in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

These are expenditures that we have made in this fiscal year that could have been and should have been made as TIF expenditures. Have checked with the TIF council and we can go back and make this year. It is a small $32,000.00 reduction in the TIF deficit. Primarily it is the Quite Zone Study and Origin Design for design elements within the TIF district and then the TIF council.

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve Resolution Authorizing Designated Expenditures to Appropriate TIF second by Alderperson Meier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Robey

13. 24-0326 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Resolution for Property Sales Funds to be Applied to TIF 1 Downtown in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This is recognition that our work with a lot of people in this town is getting results. Have concluded that the monies from the sales of the downtown properties are not necessarily needed to balance the budget this fiscal year. Since these funds are directly related to the downtown thought it would be appropriate to apply back to TIF.

Motion by Alderperson Meier to Approve Resolution for Property Sales Funds to be Applied to TIF 1 Downtown second by Alderperson Fluhr ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Robey

14. 24-0327 Discussion and Possible Action to Get Bids for 193 Sinsinawa Avenue Roofing Project in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

We have a TIF eligible in the Police/Fire Station restoration. Currently the roof is leaking badly and so would like to get bids to repair the roof.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve Getting Bids for 193 Sinsinawa Avenue Roofing Project second by Alderperson Belken ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Robey

15. 24-0328 Adjourn

End Time: 6:28 p.m.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Adjourn second by Alderperson Fluhr ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Robey

https://www.cityofeastdubuque.com/agenda/minutes/march-18-2024-minutes