NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met June 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Regular Board Meeting 24 June 2024

24C-0241 – 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 24 June 2024.

24C-0242 – ROLL CALL

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

Absent: Bernstein

24C-0243 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

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

24C-0244 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

24C-0245 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

No reports.

24C-0246 – CITIZENS COMMENTS

James Boho, Rocky Hill Road – Boho voiced concerns with the 4th Street and Highway 20 intersection. Boho referred to the Road to Zero Coalition and its purpose.

Elissa Farrell, 505 S. Bench Street – Farrell requested council give status updates on the Parker Project lawsuit at future meetings.

CONSENT AGENDA CA24-13

24C-0247 – APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 10, 2024

24C-0248 – APPROVAL OF BENEFIT AND COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS FOR SUPERVISORY POLICE EMPLOYEES

24C-0249 – ACCEPTANCE OF MAY 2024 FINANCIAL REPORT

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve Consent Agenda CA24-13.

Discussion: Tegtmeyer stated she is pleased to approve the benefits and compensation packages for the Lieutenants and Chief of Police. They are well earned and deserved.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Regular Board Meeting 24 June 2024

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

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the appeal by Mike Greene of a decision by the Historic Preservation Commission regarding the demolition of the building at 100 Monroe Street, 24C-0233.

Discussion: Kieffer advised the building is caving in and what the Historic Preservation Commission is asking them to do would cost thousands of dollars. Westemeier agreed adding that the building is in the flood zone. He would be concerned with asking them to put thousands of dollars into it and then getting a major flood.

Tegtmeyer stated she understands it is in great disrepair. She voiced concern with the validity of just tearing down the center building and not looking ahead to a future solution.

Johnson voiced concern with going against the decision of the Historic Preservation Commission. She preferred to uphold their decision. Johnson was concerned with setting a precedent if they were allowed to tear it down as there are other buildings in town that people would like to do the same thing with.

Greene advised it would cost $300,000 to $400,000 to do the repairs. If the building is removed, they will cap off the metal warehouse and build a small shed around the electrical.

Tegtmeyer questioned what the cost was to tear down the building. Greene advised they are in contact with a company that will tear it down for the salvaged materials.

Green stated while he would like to have the storage space, however the cost is beyond what he can afford. The building is too far gone for the Galena Foundation to take it on as a project.

Tegtmeyer suggested working with the owner to find a solution. She was concerned with approving to tear it down and not having a plan for the future.

The shed for the electrical will be approximately 10 x 10. It could be constructed out of metal sheeting or constructed using some of the existing materials.

The company interested would not tear the building down until next spring.

Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Westemeier, Wienen

NAYS: Tegtmeyer, Johnson

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

24C-0234 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE DECLARING SURPLUS PROPERTY AND THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY AT (403 S. MAIN STREET)

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the first reading, waive the second reading of an ordinance declaring the property at 403 S. Main Street as surplus property and the sale of property, 24C-0234.

Discussion: Tegtmeyer stated, in looking at the ordinance, part of the ordinance is that the city has collectively determined that the continued ownership of the subject property is no longer necessary, appropriate, required for the use of, profitable to or for the best interest of the city.

Regular Board Meeting 24 June 2024

Tegtmeyer does not feel those things have been determined. She voiced concern with making the decision without the full council is not the best process.

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

NAYS: Tegtmeyer, Johnson

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0235 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON EXPANDING THE CURBSIDE YARD WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM TO COVER THE MONTHS OF MAY-NOVEMBER

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Westemeier to approve expanding the curbside yard waste collection program to cover the months of May-November, 24C-0235.

Discussion: Collection will be the last Tuesday of every month beginning July 30th.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0236 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES WITH ORIGIN DESIGN FOR THE DODGE STREET UTILITIES IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve a contract with Origin Design for the Dodge Street Utilities Improvement Project, 24C-0236.

Discussion: Council agreed this needs to be done.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0237 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A CONTRACT WITH MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC. FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE MADISON STREET STAIRWAY PROJECT

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Johnson to approve a contract with MSA Professional Services, Inc., for engineering and design services for the Madison Street stairway project, 24C 0237.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0238 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH USW UTILITY GROUP FOR WATER AND SEWER OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

Regular Board Meeting 24 June 2024

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Wienen to approve a resolution for a contract extension with USW Utility Group for water and sewer operations and maintenance, 24C-0238.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0239 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION APPROVING ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REQUIRED LANGUAGE FOR CONTRACT OPERATING SERVICES WITH USW UTILITY GROUP

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer to approve a resolution approving Illinois Environmental Protection Agency required language for contract operating services with USW Utility Group, 24C-0239.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0240 – WATER AND SEWER OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MONTHLY REPORT FROM U.S. WATER

Andrew Schuler, Project Manager, USW Utility Group presented the operations report for the month of May 2024. Total water produced 15,835,000 gallons with 52 percent billed. The budget is looking good. Operations and maintenance have been a little higher. Electrical costs have been going down. Hydrant flushing will begin once the lead and copper samples are taken.

Wienen requested an update on the large meter replacements. Schuler reported they have received twenty meters. They will be getting those installed and will track them once they are installed.

24C-0241 – WARRANTS

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the Warrants as presented, 24C 0241.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0242 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

Pavement Marking – Tegtmeyer advised the center line on West Street towards Gear Street will be painted soon as well as the center line at the entrance to Rec Park.

Regular Board Meeting 24 June 2024

Thank you – Tegtmeyer thanked everyone for participating in meetings either in person or through the YouTube recordings. She advised she will continue to work towards transparency and decision making. Tegtmeyer urged the council to be transparent in what they are doing and why they are doing it.

Expenditures – Johnson stated she would like to work toward giving the public 60 days’ notice before the council spends $50,000 for an item that is not an emergency.

24C-0243 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Shuttle - Moran reported the shuttle numbers have been impressive. We have provided 1,400 rides in the month of June. That is an 80 percent increase on Saturday service, 200 percent increase on Sunday service and a 400 percent increase on the lodging route. Moran thanked the Jo Daviess County Transit as well as the Galena Chamber of Commerce who helped with some preseason advertising.

24C-0244 – MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Renner stated it was a good weekend despite the weather and thanked the staff for all that they do.

24C-0245 – ADJOURNMENT

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

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/cc062424_4E76F64A6F6A7.pdf