NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met June 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

24C-0222 – 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 10 June 2024.

24C-0223 – ROLL CALL

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

Absent: Bernstein

24C-0224 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

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

24C-0225 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

24C-0226 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

No reports.

24C-0227 – CITIZENS COMMENTS

Rebecca Martin, 1628 Field Street – Martin expressed her concerns about the noise potential with the proposed pickle ball courts. She requested at a minimum they be required to complete a sound analysis.

Cindy Pepple, 218 S. High Street – Pepple urged the council to consider finding a way to bring back yard waste pickup once or twice per month.

Rosean Schromen 1570 Seippel Road, Dubuque – Schromen advised for some reason the 8- inch sewer pipe that was installed on the Knautz side of highway 20 has either been forgotten or has been removed. Schromen urged the council to install a new sewer main and manhole on the south side of the highway in front of 700 Spring Street at a cost of $63,030.81.

Mayor Renner presented the new logo for the bicentennial. The logo was designed by Cassie Beadle, daughter of Cindy and Randy Beadle. Thirteen individuals submitted twenty-nine logos. Beadle was presented with a gift basket for her winning design.

CONSENT AGENDA CA24-12

24C-0228 – APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 28, 2024

24C-0229 – APPROVAL OF ILLINOIS EPA PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN #17-6109 LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT REQUEST #7 IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,028.50 FOR ORIGIN DESIGN AND COMMUNITY FUNDING AND PLANNING SERVICES INVOICES

24C-0230 – APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH HULSCHER FENCING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,750 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SPLIT RAIL FENCE ALONG THE FIELD STREET MULTI-USE PATH

Regular Board Meeting 10 June 2024

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve Consent Agenda

CA24-12. Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

24C-0231 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A RECAPTURE AGREEMENT WITH ROSEAN SCHROMEN AND JOHN WILSON FOR SEWER INSTALLATION TO 11840 HIGHWAY 20

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve a recapture agreement with Rosean Schromen and John Wilson for sewer installation at 11840 Highway 20, 24C-0231.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0232 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST BY ROSEAN SCHROMEN FOR THE CITY TO PAY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A SEWER MAIN AND MANHOLE TO SERVE 700 SPRING STREET

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Wienen, to deny the request by Rosean Schromen for the city to pay for the installation of a sewer main and manhole to serve 700 Spring Street, 24C 0232.

Discussion: Tegtmeyer agrees it is necessary to do the work now; however, it is not the city’s responsibility to pay for it. This would be for a subdivision that may or may not happen. Kieffer agreed, adding the cost could easily go over $100,000.

Renner noted this has not been done for anyone else in the past.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0233 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON APPEAL BY MIKE GREENE OF A DECISION BY THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION REGARDING THE DEMOLITION OF A BUILDING AT 100 MONROE STREET

This item was removed from the agenda at the request of the applicant.

24C-0234 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE PROPERTY AT 403 S. MAIN STREET

Regular Board Meeting 10 June 2024

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to sell the property at 403 S. Main Street, 24C-0234.

Discussion: Westemeier was opposed to putting $700,000 into restrooms when there are restrooms a block away.

Tegtmeyer reminded the council the building was purchased for restrooms and parking. The city has already put $230,000 into it. She feels it does not make sense to lose the amenities that the building was purchased for. The city needs parking and needs restrooms. The city will not be able to build restrooms somewhere else for less. Tegtmeyer feels selling the building would be a knee jerk reaction because the costs were underestimated.

Kieffer stated he was originally in favor of public restrooms; however, he too was opposed to spending $700,000 on restrooms. Even with the parking, it would be a bad investment.

Johnson recommended selling the building only or at a minimum calculating the value of each parking space.

Wienen agreed the building was originally purchased for restrooms. The city purchased the building for $200,000. The building could be sold for more and the profit could be used to create additional parking by the sludge barn. Wienen feels it makes more sense to put restrooms in Washington Park. She was in favor of selling the building.

Tegtmeyer voiced concern with now talking about public restrooms in a completely different space without a building. She questioned how the city can approve $150,000 for pickle ball but cannot find $250,000 for public restrooms. If restrooms are no longer needed, she would like to see a study that shows that.

Johnson pointed out the original bid included geothermal heating which is three times more expensive. She recommended rebidding it with standard heating. She feels there are things that can be done to adjust the bid lower.

Westemeier questioned when do we have too many restrooms in town? There are restrooms located within a block of the proposed restrooms. There are restrooms at the Market House on the other end of Main Street. He was opposed to selling the building without parking.

Renner does not feel it is feasible at this time to spend that amount of money on nine toilets and sinks. He preferred to sell the building with the parking.

Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Kieffer

NAYS: Johnson, Tegtmeyer

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0235 – WARRANTS

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the Warrants as presented, 24C 0235.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0236 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

Thank you – Tegtmeyer thanked the Galena Public Library, the volunteers and the Galena Police Department for a successful pride picnic. They had rain and rainbows!

Rec Park – Tegtmeyer noted there was a public discussion about a fix at Rec Park. She advised that is being addressed and looked at.

Yard Waste Pickup – Tegtmeyer agrees the city needs to address yard waste pickup. Westemeier agrees adding the city needs to work out a plan throughout the summer for yard waste.

Pickle Ball – Tegtmeyer agrees a sound study is necessary for the pickle ball courts. She noted the survey was not done by the city. It was done by a group of citizens who are in favor of the pickle ball courts. Tegtmeyer feels a more formal survey could be done.

Pool – Westemeier stated he is glad the weather is cooperating. The pool is fairly crowded on warm days.

24C-0237 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Yard Waste – Moran advised per EPA regulations; contractors are not allowed to take yard waste to the landfill. Moran feels a once-a-month pickup could be a solution.

24C-0238 – MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Renner agrees something could be worked out for yard waste. He thanked Cassie Beadle for her logo submission.

24C-0239 - MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion: Wienen 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) (6) – Sale or Lease of Public Property

∙ Section 2 (c) (11) – Pending, Probable or Imminent Litigation

∙ Section 2 (c) (21) – Review of Executive Session Minutes.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

The meeting recessed at 7:01 p.m.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:28 p.m.

24C-0240 – ADJOURNMENT

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

Regular Board Meeting 10 June 2024

Discussion: None.

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

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

 https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/cc061024_7384E68BFCC73.pdf