NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met May 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Regular Board Meeting 28 May 2024

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 28 May 2024.

ROLL CALL

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

ESTABLISHMENT 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

None.

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve suspending the rules of order to allow Mayor Renner to read a proclamation.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

Mayor Renner read a proclamation naming Theodore Williams as the 2024 Poet Laurette.

CONSENT AGENDA

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 13, 2024

ACCEPTANCE OF APRIL 2024 FINANCIAL REPORT

APPROVAL OF REINSTATEMENT OF SCHOOL PARKING REGULATIONS ON FRANKLIN STREET

BUDGET AMENDMENT BA24-02 TO ADD A REVENUE LINE ITEM FOR ACCEPTING DONATIONS TO THE PICKLEBALL PROJECT

APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER #1 IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,980.25 FOR THE HILL STREET EMERGENCY REPAIRS PROJECT

Regular Board Meeting 28 May 2024

APPROVAL OF GRANTING THE MAYOR AUTHORITY TO SIGN LOAN REQUEST #7 FOR PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN 17-6109

24C-0209 – APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A SERVICE BODY AND FIXTURES FOR THE NEW UTILITIES TRUCK FROM GRANT COUNTY TRUCK BODIES FOR $12,368.80

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

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

QUARTERLY REPORT BY GALENA COUNTRY TOURISM Terry Matteson, CEO/President, gave the quarterly report for Galena Country Tourism.

Westemeier questioned what ideas are planned for communities this year? Westemeier stated he does not feel they are spending money in different communities. Matteson advised they are currently working on projects that were never finished. They are also focusing on new initiatives in digital to try to connect all of the communities together.

Tegtmeyer questioned what contribution Galena Country Tourism might be able to make towards the 403 S. Main Street public restrooms. Matteson advised it is their intent to work with Mark Moran on the dedicated space. The space will be an unstaffed presence. There will be digital information along with printed materials in that space. Tegtmeyer questioned if there was any chance of Galena Country Tourism contributing financially. Matteson advised that topic has not come up. Their primary role is sales and marketing of Galena and is the legislative intent and purpose so they have to be very conscious of what their lane is, but they would be happy to have discussions.

Wienen noted they show $250,000 in print. She feels this is really high for their budget comparatively. She questioned where she could find information on their marketing plan and specifically what markets are being targeted for Galena. Matteson referred her to the slide deck for the marketing plan. Matteson advised they are doing a lot digitally as well as looking at areas in Wisconsin and other parts of the Midwest including Iowa.

Mayor Renner urged them to keep up the good work and address the concerns raised tonight.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AWARDING A CONTRACTOR FOR THE GALENA WELCOME CENTER RENOVATION AT 403 S. MAIN STREET

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to reject all bids for the Galena Welcome Center renovation at 403 S. Main Street,

Discussion: Westemeier feels the bids are high. He was opposed to spending a half million dollars on a 750 square foot building. Kieffer agreed.

Tegtmeyer felt rejecting all of the bids rather than looking at possible reductions was jumping the gun. The city has already invested money in the building. The building was originally purchased for restrooms and/or parking. If the city were to sell the property, we would also lose the parking.

Tegtmeyer felt the EV charging stations could be removed and the cost for paint could be reduced. She urged the council to look at the options.

Bernstein stated another option could be to remove the building and put in additional parking. Johnson recommended rebidding the project without geothermal.

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

NAYS: Tegtmeyer

The motion carried.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A CONTRACT WITH SAND PRAIRIE FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF VIDEO CAMERAS IN PUBLIC SPACES

The following quotes was received:

Franklin & Hill Street $ 9,967.43

City Hall Parking Lot/ /Water Street $ 5,881.58

Main/Green Street $ 9,740.28

TOTAL $25,589.29

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve a contract with Sand Prairie for the purchase and installation of video cameras in public spaces in the amount of $25,589.29, 24C-0212.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A LEASE WITH THE EAGLE’S CLUB 237 S. MAIN FOR THE INSTALLATION OF VIDEO CAMERAS ON THEIR BUILDING

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve a lease in the amount of $365 annually with the Eagle’s Club, 237 S. Main Street, for the installation of video cameras on their building

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SELECTING A DESIGN CONSULTANT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RENNOVATION AND ADDITION

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, approve seeking a proposal from Origin Design for the fire department renovation project

Discussion: The project has been budgeted.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE APPOINTMENT OF EMPLOYEES FOR THE PERIOD MAY 9, 2024, TO MAY 12, 2025

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve the appointments of employees for the period May 9, 2024, to May 12, 2025, as listed

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner NAYS: None

The motion carried.

WATER AND SEWR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MONTHLY REPORT FROM U.S. WATER

Andrew Schuler gave the monthly report for April. The Wastewater Treatment Plant treated 21,443,000 gallons. Total water produced was 14,286,000 gallons of which 66 percent was billed. The budget is looking good. They have been helping 5-Star with the lead line replacements and Fischer with the Highway 20 project.

Tegtmeyer asked for clarification on the letters residents received with regard to checking for lead pipes. She questioned if it is necessary to hire a professional to do the check. Schuler advised the test is a simple scratch test that anyone can do. If residents need assistance, they can contact City Hall. Schuler stressed the importance of everyone reporting the data for the inventory as the city is trying to remove all lead lines in the city.

WARRANTS

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

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

Garbage – Johnson reminded residents garbage pickup would be one day later this week due to the holiday.

Highway 20 Limestone Retaining Wall – Johnson stated for those citizens who were concerned with the limestone retaining wall just past Knautz Home Furnishings on Highway 20, the city engineer has stated the wall is being built correctly.

Pool – Tegtmeyer announced the pool is open.

Electronics Recycling – Tegtmeyer reminded residents electronics recycling will be held Friday, May 31st at City Hall.

Thank you – Wienen thanked staff for getting the pool open.

Storms – Westemeier thanked the Public Works Department and the Police Department for their work in the recent storms. They did a quick job of getting everything removed.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Thank you – Moran thanked Hillary and the Public Works Department for getting the pool up and running.

Thank you – Moran thanked Jen Schmidt for the new electronic pay system for all employees.

Bicentennial Logo – Moran advised the new bicentennial logo will be unveiled at the next meeting.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Renner thanked staff for all that they do.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m.

https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/cc052824_31E1A46962EEF.pdf