NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met April 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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 April 2024.

ROLL CALL

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

Absent: Kieffer, Wienen

2ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

No reports.

CITIZENS COMMENTS

Shirley Rosenthal, 503 South Street – Rosenthal read a prepared statement in support of the city’s participation in the installation of pickleball courts at Recreation Park. Rosenthal urged the council to add a line item to the upcoming budget. Rosenthal shared handouts from Superintendent Tim Vincent as well as the Galena Rotary showing support for the project.

Larry Wiedenheft, 816 Shadow Bluff – Wiedenheft addressed the site plan for the placement of the pickleball courts. The proposal consists of six standard courts and two handicapped accessible courts. The site has easy accessibility to an existing forty-eight space parking lot and is a short walking distance to two existing restrooms. While fundraising efforts have not yet begun, they have received two significant financial commitments from Mike and Lori Sproule for excavation work and Bobby and Doris Hahn for the rock and substrate materials.

Alicia Fleege, 502 N. Dodge – Fleege advised she works for Kreider Services, which services handicapped individuals. Fleege urged the council to look at supporting the pickle ball courts project in hopes that her clients can have more accessible recreation options in our immediate community.

Dave Decker, 11084 US Highway 20 West - Decker spoke in support of the city’s participation in the installation of pickleball courts at Rec Park.

Tom Rynott, Galena Country Tourism - Rynott spoke on the tourism impacts pickleball courts have to offer. As a former recreation director, Rynott feels it is not a question of will there be a positive economic impact but rather to what degree. Galena Country Tourism supports the project and will continue to be here to support the project in whatever way they can.

Adam Johnson, 211 Fourth Street – Johnson spoke in support of the pickleball courts; however, he feels it is too small. He feels it should be double or triple in size. While Johnson likes the idea of pickleball courts, he is unsure if this is the appropriate site. He voiced concern with limited parking.

Kathy, Resident, 32 Cemetery Ridge - Kathy spoke in support of the installation of pickleball courts.

Joy, Resident, 32 Cemetery Ridge – Joy stated while family was an immediate call to Galena, pickleball opportunities was a priority to become a permanent resident. Joy urged the council to support the installation of pickleball courts. A pickleball court would give more people the opportunity to play.

Sid Sincock, 302 Grant Court – Spoke in support of the addition of pickleball courts in Recreation Park. Sincock shared memories of Rec Park over the years and stated he would love to see pickleball courts in the same location as the old swimming pool.

PUBLIC HEARING

PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 CITY OF GALENA OPERATING BUDGET

Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to open the Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2024-25 City of Galena Operating Budget

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer, Wienen

The motion carried.

Testimony: None.

Motion: Johnson moved, seconded by Westemeier, to close the Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2024-25 City of Galena Operating Budget

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer, Wienen

The motion carried.

LIQUOR COMMISSION

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

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer, Wienen

The motion carried.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE RENEWAL OF CURRENT LIQUOR LICENSES FOR THE PERIOD MAY 1, 2024, THROUGH APRIL 30, 2025

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve the renewal of current liquor licenses for the period May 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025, 24C-0125.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer, Wienen

The motion carried.

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

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer, Wienen

The motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 25, 2024, AND THE BUDGET WORK SESSION OF APRIL 1, 2024

APPROVAL OF REQUEST BY SUSIE DROESSLER TO SERVE AS THE MARKET MASTER FOR THE GALENA FARMERS MARKET, SATURDAY, MAY 18-OCTOBER 26, 2024, IN THE CITY HALL PARKING LOT

ACCEPTANCE OF FEBRUARY 2024 FINANCIAL REPORT

APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH FISHER EXCAVATING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SEWER MAIN UNDER HIGHWAY 20

APPROVAL OF ILLINOIS EPA PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN #17-6109 LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT REQUEST #5 IN THE AMOUNT OF $221,377.82, INCLUDING ORIGIN DESIGN, CFPS, INC., AND FIVE STAR ENERGY SERVICES INVOICES

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve Consent Agenda

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer, Wienen

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 OPERATING BUDGET

Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the Fiscal Year 2024-25 operating budget, 24C-0131.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer, Wienen

The motion carried.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON 2024-25 ARCHERY DEER HUNTING PROGRAM

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve the 2024-25 Archery Deer Hunting Program, 24C-0132.

Discussion: Council discussed and hopes they are able to get more deer this year.

Tegtmeyer stated she would like to see the city look at this in not such a “reductionist” way in killing the deer. She feels we need to look at what we are doing to their natural habitat and environment. She would like the city to look at it on a broader scope.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer, Wienen

The motion carried.

WARRANTS

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve the Warrants as presented,

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer, Wienen

The motion carried.

ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

Thank you – Tegtmeyer thanked everyone who participated in the meeting tonight and those that stayed for the rest of the meeting.

One Year – Tegtmeyer noted this marks one year of her being elected. She listened to the people and thanked them for putting their trust in her.

Thank you – Johnson thanked everyone for coming on behalf of the pickleball courts and added it is also her one-year anniversary as well.

Thank you – Westemeier thanked everyone for coming out tonight. He feels the pickleball courts are a good idea. It is a good recreation sport that anyone can play.

Thank you – Bernstein thanked everyone for coming and noted it is important for the city council to know what everyone is thinking.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Public Restroom Project – Bids will go out April 15th with a due back date of May 9. An item will be placed on the May 28, 2024, agenda.

Website – The new website has been launched as well as a few Facebook page for the City of Galena. The city received six hundred followers in the first week.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Renner thanked everyone for coming and giving their input.

MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion: Johnson 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) (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: Westemeier, Bernstein, Johnson, Tegtmeyer, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer, Wienen

The motion carried.

The meeting recessed at 7:11 p.m.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:04 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to adjourn.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer, Wienen

The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/cc040824_15031FBC57F12.pdf