NW Illinois News

City of East Dubuque City Council met May 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Pledge of Allegiance

   1.  24-0509    Call to Order – Mayor Digman

Start Time: 6:00 pm

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

   2.  24-0510    Staff Reports

      a.  City Manager Report

NuEra Dispensary was approved for a building permit for site preparation. As you might have seen they have already broken ground about a week ago. This entails storm water control, parking lot and demolition of the building. They will also need another permit when they are ready to bring the building on site.

We are getting ready to seek another auditor. Fiscal ’24 is nearly complete, and Cindy is in January. Once she gets past this the other months should go faster. Will then close out that year and Cindy will be helping to recruit an auditing company.

Water main breaks found a way to help people with water that is not for drinking. There is a spigot at the well house on Montgomery that will be on so people will be able to get water so that they can use it for washing, flushing and cleaning. Hoping this will be a small help in a tough time.

The garage has been removed from the Police Station. Then will be asking tonight to be able to get estimates for the roof and begin planning the restoration project.

The sale has gone through, and the new owner of 526 Sherwood Ave has cleaned out the house, secured it and mowed multiple times. Looking forward to seeing this house being restored.

Met with the DNR on plans to deal with our stormwater issues. Once it is finalized, they will come and present it to the Council. This will focus on the Wisconsin Ave and 3rd St ditch which there might be funding available from the DNR. With this we are also looking at a DOT grant that would combine for a long-time fix.

WHKS is looking at the priority of the sewage lift stations for me. Just want to ensure that we are ranking their needs properly.

Public works is sending cameras down to determine the status of the sewer mains on the prioritized streets. This will be considered in planning with the condition of the street. Looking to also put in additional valves to keep water moving to the tower during to reduce the number of homes impacted.

Property north of the water tower is being surveyed and will be appraised for sale. DOT gave a favorable response for using the water tower drive. Traffic could be permitted with the agreement with the purchaser and amendment to the driveway permit. This will need to be low traffic not high volume.

      b.  Mayor Report

The annual Father’s Day breakfast will be June 16th in the High School Cafeteria.

Must renew your low-income utility assistance by June 30. Please bring an income tax return or other paperwork to show you are still eligible for assistance.

There is a document on the standing committees. Will run through May 24 to April 25. These are all recommendations only.

      c.  Alderperson Report

            i.   Belken

Memorial day parade if they get rained out if they could use City Hall. Yes, no problem with that.

            ii.   Burgmeier

            iii.   Degenhardt

The city crew helped with watering the flowers. Runde’s let us borrow their big truck to haul the flowers. Nick Tranel helped haul 478 flowers. J&R also helped with loaning a trailer. Would like to thank everyone for their help. Was a big success and sold all the flowers.

            iv.   Fluhr

            v.   Meier

            vi.   Robey

Getting complaints on the dirt/dust that is being kicked up by Newt Marine. Is there any way to get them to get the dust down? They do have a water truck that they need to use to keep the dust down. Have had the police go down to speak with them. We will continue to let them know. Will step this up this year.

Turn on the spigot for water breaks do we need signage. We have that in the works to do.

We also have to do something so that they can access it easily.

      d.  City Attorney, Susan Hess

Was asked for a 30-day extension at 206/206 ½ 5th St to take back possession and get it back in order. Was going to go ahead and authorize this. Think it is a reasonable request.

      e.  Police Chief, Luke Kovacic

      f.  Public Works Director, Tony VanOstrand

      g.  Fire Chief, Joe Heim

The engine is scheduled to be done Wednesday the 29th will need to come up sometime after to do an inspection.

   3.  24-0511    Speakers from the Floor

Joe Delaney Junior at East Dubuque High School. Asked to bring up a few designs to choose from. Have talked with Shop Teacher, Leo Club and himself have talked about the designs. Design one is a new idea or Design two is making the same design. Looking to make it the same size so as not needing a permit. He is only looking to only do one sign right now. Looking to be done in late fall of 2024. Joe’s likes the new design as does other council members. Looking to be $500 to $750 cost for the sign. There is economic funding in the budget if you want to do a match.

   4.  24-0512    Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 05/06/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 05/06/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderperson Meier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried

NEW BUSINESS:

   5.  24-0513    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve East Dubuque High School’s Annual Homecoming Parade in Downtown East Dubuque on October 4, 2024, at 3:30 pm with Street Closing for Staging in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve East Dubuque High School’s Annual Homecoming Parade in Downtown East Dubuque on October 4, 2024, at 3:30 pm with Street Closing for Staging second by Alderperson Degenhardt    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried

   6.  24-0514    Discussion and Possible Action to Seek Estimates for a New Audit Firm in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Cindy is preparing an RFP to entice people to take us on because she will have done the hard work, and they will have it easy. Being a small town it is increasingly harder to find audit firms. Hope to shift some of the things that would have been on the audit to the work Cindy can do.

Motion by Alderperson Robey to Approve Seeking Estimates for a New Audit Firm second by Alderperson Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried

   7.  24-0515    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Resolution Authorizing Zero Interest Loan Agreement for the Purchase of a New Fire Truck in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This is the loan that was discussed last fall. Will be a significant savings because it is a zero percent loan for 20 years. Will match that up with a loan from the bank. Because the truck came in less than expected thanks to the work of the fire department. Since they got this loan for $350,000.00 that means will only need $300,000.00 from the bank. Does not justify going to bonding when it would be paid off relatively quick.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve the Resolution Authorizing Zero Interest Loan Agreement for the Purchase of a New Fire Truck second by Alderperson Belken    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried

   8.  24-0516    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Street Project Estimates in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Hyacinth St – Repave, guardrail, stormwater and potentially water main.

Montgomery – Repair joints on hill.

Livingston between Clarendon and Rivoli.

Alley between Maple and Elm.

Mortimor behind City Hall.

Can move forward with estimates as opposed to going through the whole formal bid process. If we have a two-thirds vote on getting estimates and then accepting an estimate at the end of this process.

When we do estimates instead of bids how do we do that? Do we notify people do they come to us? Previously when bids were not done people were getting ticked off. We notify them so finding other contractors will be a little bit harder since there are not very many out there. These will be prevailing wage projects.

A lot of the sidewalk going up the hill is sunk. Yes, do know of it. Do you have spray foam? Not that much. Be nice if we could raise them.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve Street Project Estimates second by Alderperson Meier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried

  9.  24-0517    Discussion and Possible Action on Receiving Roof Estimates for Police Station at 193 Sinsinawa Ave in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

The first thing we need to do with that building is get a roof on it so that it stops deteriorating. The garage is off now so we are able to start working to improve that building.

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve Receiving Roof Estimates for Police Station at 193 Sinsinawa Ave second by Alderperson Degenhardt    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried

  10.  24-0518    Discussion and Possible Action for Authorization to Contract for Planning the Restoration of the Fire Station At 183 Sinsinawa Ave and Police Station at 193 Sinsinawa Ave in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Spoken with Origin since they did the design and looked at everything that was necessary for the new police and fire station. They would offer us a contract for $5,000, would do all the preliminary work on the buildings and would allow us to seek additional funding plan for how we would go about it. Wondering if we can complete part of the project and move them in while we finish the project. The police would be excited if they have to work around construction to be in a place and see that the city was putting their money where their mouth was. Think this is a fair way of going about this.

Once we get estimates they come to the council for approval. Yes, must be two-thirds of a majority.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Authorization to Contract for Planning the Restoration of the Fire Station At 183 Sinsinawa Ave and Police Station at 193 Sinsinawa Ave second by Alderperson Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried

  11.  24-0519    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Special Event Permit for East Dubuque Independence Day Celebration to be Held Downtown East Dubuque on Saturday, June 29 from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm with the Closure of the 200 Block of Sinsinawa Avenue from 231 to 295 Sinsinawa Avenue in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Will be the same as last year. Beverages will be purchased through the bars and no stands outside. Fireworks this year should be bigger and better.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve Special Event Permit for East Dubuque Independence Day Celebration to be Held Downtown East Dubuque on Saturday, June 29 from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm with the Closure of the 200 Block of Sinsinawa Avenue from 231 to 295 Sinsinawa Avenue second by Alderperson Meier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried

  12.  24-0520    Discussion on Outdoor Seating in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Looking at the sidewalks will need a minimum of four feet by ADA standards. Through traffic area unobstructed. There are at least eight feet of sidewalk. Could go as much as four feet out from the buildings. Might want to go a little less than that so not running into the walking traffic.

Issues to consider are banners out for the slots cramp the sidewalk. Might want to consider it an either/or for seating or banners. Making sure beverages are not being taken down the road. Some communities require servers to bring out the beverages. Do not see a need for the fencing off of the area.

In the Class D liquor license, it states that it would have to be fenced off. Are we still charging for Class D liquor license? Those are for the patios and different stuff like that. Will need to have the ordinance committee look at that. Can say that sidewalk tables are not beer gardens.

Bar owners will be responsible for their area.

The look of the street as if we had people outside. Would draw people to the downtown area.

No Action Required

  13.  24-0521    Executive Session: 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Personnel Matters / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

No Action Required

  14.  24-0522    Discussion and Possible Action on Matters Discussed in Executive Session in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

No Action Required

  15.  24-0523    Adjourn

End Time: 6:49 pm

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

https://www.cityofeastdubuque.com/agenda/minutes/may-20-2024-minutes