NW Illinois News

City of East Dubuque City Council met June 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

   1.  24-0601    Call to Order – Mayor Digman

Start Time: 6:00 pm

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

   2.  24-0602    Staff Reports

a.  City Manager Report

Report about all the rain that fell that afternoon. It rained approximately three inches all in the afternoon. Had a full response with the Fire, Police and Public Works departments. Everything that could be done for public safety was done. Which is the primary purpose of a response in a situation like this. Secondary is protecting property. The Public Works did a phenomenal job of protecting property. Had one person in knee deep water holding open a manhole cover to help with extra water. Had others out with backhoes clearing ditches to keep water flowing in and out. All this happened during the worst of the rain. He is extremely proud of the work everyone has done. Will meet afterwords to talk on what worked and what can improve. There were no reports of injury or loss of life, which is the primary concern.

b.  Mayor Report

Want to thank the Fire, Police and Public Works for their quick response. Want to give a shout out to the American Legion for organizing the Memorial Day Parade. There was a great turnout for it. Want to thank our very own Randy Degenhardt and Delbert Belken for their service to our country. I also want to congratulate the East Dubuque High School Baseball and Softball teams for their great seasons. There was a lot of community support and Warrior Pride. Would like to ask Dan Dalberg to come forward to award him a plaque for his retirement with the city.

c.  Alderperson Report

i.   Belken

Want to thank everyone that helped with the Memorial Day Parade. Was disappointed with the turnout of the City Council members.

ii.   Burgmeier

iii.   Degenhardt

iv.   Fluhr

v.   Meier

vi.   Robey

If Tom Burns has a sewer license, why do we continue to pay Fehr Graham? They do reports for us to keep us in compliance. Do not believe there was confidence that the people were able to do those things. They are also supposed to be training Tony to take over for Tom. Tony was pulled off of that when Mark had his surgery and would be behind on that process. We will be addressing Fehr Graham about the contract because not completely happy with it.

Kudos to the people who take care of the cemetery for Memorial Day.

d.  City Attorney, Susan Hess

e.  Police Chief, Luke Kovacic

f.  Public Works Director, Tony VanOstrand

g.  Fire Chief, Joe Heim

The badge pinning is postponed till the next meeting because of helping with the flooding.

   3.  24-0603    Speakers from the Floor

No speakers

   4.  24-0604    Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 05/20/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 05/20/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderperson Fluhr    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Meier

NEW BUSINESS:

   5.  24-0605    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Ordinance to Vacate Laura Lane, also Known as Laura Street in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This is a street that is essentially a driveway that serves one property owner. That owner would like to help a new business with parking. This helps us with not having to clean and maintain the street.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve An Ordinance to Vacate Laura Lane, also Known as Laura Street second by Alderperson Degenhardt    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Meier

   6.  24-0606    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Estimates for Street Projects in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Apologize that these were not in the packet on Friday. Some bids came in too late to make the packet on Friday. We are making recommendations. The difference from the past is only one company was asked to put in a bid, but Tony was able to find another one. Made sure that they did know this is prevailing wage. On four of the five bids we are taking the lowest bid. But Hyacinth is different and Tri-State Paving explained what they will do to fix the road.

Are we figuring on doing all those streets there? We are planning but depending on the budget money available.

Nice job with getting two bids.

Hyacinth will appreciate that we will be working on the road. Held off because thought DOT would come in and fix it. But will not see that in our lifetime. So would like to move forward with this street.

Hyacinth St – Will be done by Tri-State Paving

Mortimer – Will be done by Kluesner Construction

Hiawatha Dr/Pine to Scenic Heights – Will be done by Kluesner Construction

Livingston/Clarendon to Rivoli – Will be done by Kluesner Construction

Alley between Montgomery and Clinton/Maple St to Elm St – Will be done by Kluesner Construction

Oxford St – Paving and Stormwater (Part of Oxford St Project) Estimate

Montgomery Avenue Cracks – Seek Estimate

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

   7.  24-0607    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Loan from Fidelity Bank & Trust for Remainder of Fire Truck Cost in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Have been going back and forth with the bank since he has been here. To get to a point that we could get the information to them that they need to loan us money. We have finally got to that point. Since the Fire Department got the 0% interest loan and lower cost in truck since it was the demo. Recommend that we do a regular loan then try to bond it out and then pay this loan off as soon as possible since it is a higher interest rate than our other loans. Took it out for only three years and think we could be done in less than three years.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve Loan from Fidelity Bank & Trust for Remainder of Fire Truck Cost second by Alderperson Belken    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Meier

   8.  24-0608    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Ordinance for Sidewalk Café in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Had a discussion at the last meeting on Sidewalk Cafés there was a request from one of our businesses to put tables out front. Looked at a number of codes by other communities. So came up with this proposed ordinance. The best part of the ordinance is we need to maintain four-foot pathway to comply with ADA. So, start from the curb or anything that is away from the curb to the four-foot pathway then that is the starting spot for their table and chairs. They need to keep their own order. Have not put in permit cost but hope to get that from discussion tonight.

They will need to show proof of insurance and indemnify the city for any losses. Also designate the Chief of Police to be able to shut them down on a moment’s notice.

What is our outdoor area fee? $125.00. I would say it would be the same thing.

Also discussed some kind of barricade around it. In the practical look at it you just will not have enough room for all that and maintain the four foot pathway. Thinks the seating at the table controls the same as what a fence would.

Would waiving the $125.00 just to see if it would work or not. It is a trial and error.

If we are going to do that then we might as well table the ordinance. We do not have anything in the ordinance for seasonal when the tables can be put up and then taken down. Do not have anything in the ordinance about using glass outside. We have more stringent ordinances for patios on private property than bringing food and alcohol onto our street. Think should talk about it more. With the glass and such that is the decision of the owner to decide if they want it out there or not. They are the ones responsible for any mess outside their bar. If we have problems with the owners, they can be fined or their permit can be pulled.

If we are charging owners to have a consumption area, then we should also charge for the sidewalk. Agree with the $125.00.

Is that fair to charge this for just three tables? It is their decision if they want to do this or not.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve $125.00 Fee for Sidewalk Café second by Alderperson Belken    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier and Alderperson Degenhardt    Nays – Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Meier

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve An Ordinance for Sidewalk Café second by Alderperson Belken    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier and Alderperson Degenhardt    Nays – Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Meier

   9.  24-0609    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve IEPA PWSL Loan 17-6364 Request #2 in the Amount of $34,257.50 including CFPS Invoice #2 and Origin Design Invoices #80379 & 80420 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Expenses covered by the Lead Service Line Replacement project.

Are we supposed to be replacing the asphalt or are they? They are supposed to return it to its original state. They will be going back and patching all the places they had to dig.

Did not have CFPS Invoice #2 in packet so was tabled till next meeting.

Motion by Alderperson Robey to Approve Table CFPS Invoice #2 second by Alderperson Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes –Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Robey     Nay – Alderperson Belken     Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Meier

Motion by Alderperson Robey to Approve IEPA PWSL Loan 17-6364 Request #2 in the Amount of $24,257.50 including Origin Design Invoices #80379 & 80420 second by Alderperson Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Meier

10.  24-0610    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Ordinance to Consolidate City Clerk and City Treasurer Position in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Did not do it this time.

11.  24-0611    Adjourn

End Time: 6:41 pm

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

https://www.cityofeastdubuque.com/agenda/minutes/june-3-2024-minutes