NW Illinois News

City of East Dubuque City Council met July 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

1. 24-0701 Call to Order – Mayor Digman

Start Time: 6:00 pm

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

2. 24-0702 Staff Reports

a. City Manager Report

Preparation for potential flooding. The 3rd street ditch has been cleaned out to the railroad bridge. There might be water standing stopping at the railroad bridge because they cannot go any further.

The pumps and auxiliary pumps are ready to go. The situation we are dealing with the water heading to 22ft by next week. The leavy is 25ft. As the river goes up the gravity flow stops so the more water you have the more you need to rely on the pumps to clear the water.

The Police Station ceiling has been removed so the engineers can look at it. In better shape than what they were expecting. The decking will need to be fixed and will not know how much of it will need to be done. Ready to move forward with getting estimates from three companies. If anyone has other ones just let the City Manager know. Will probably be an estimate for the roof and then a separate one for sq ft for the decking. Also have a surveyor in to get information so that they will be able to connect the Fire Station with the Police Station.

WHKS looked at the 3rd street ditch with a structural engineer. Will be getting a preliminary idea from them. Whatever the fix on the ditch will be a major project.

Ordinance committee members met tonight and would like to get utility committee together in the future.

b. Mayor Report

Want to do some thank you to Cody Lange for helping to get cars moved on the two hundred block of Sinsinawa Ave for Independence Day celebration. Chief Heim for check of fireworks and City Crew for their help also.

Would like to say thank you to George Murphy and Murphy Construction for the Flagpole installation at the East Dubuque Cemetery in Memory of Kenny and Mary Fluhr.

c. Alderperson Report

i. Belken

On Memorial Day they did thank him for his donation. They also have a solar light on top of the pole so that the flag is out day and night.

Had someone approach about the play parks around the city. Wondering about bringing in some wood chips and then having someone donate time like the Boy Scouts. We will talk about it and find a solution.

ii. Burgmeier

iii. Degenhardt

Had people call him and let him know that it was the best fireworks they seen this year. Also had calls about the noise.

Anything happening with the Henkel properties in the Flats. The estate is still open and have not heard anything. Will check again and find out what is going on.

Want to thank the City Crew for all their work on the 3rd street ditch.

iv. Fluhr

v. Meier

vi. Robey

Who is KoneCranes. These are the people who do the routine maintenance on the leavy pumps and truck hoist in the city garage.

There are a bunch of Visa charges again. Bunch is mail, TV and safety coat. Most of the time we have a 3% up charge. Could we not do a lot of them for POA’s. Think when every we can we should be doing POA’s. Easier than trying to hold receipts. We will look at that.

Estimates for the roof of Police Station. We are doing estimates instead of bids. Why? Recommendation from the architect that if we did bids, they would have to do plans and with estimates they do not need to do plans. We would have to pay for planning of the bids and do not for estimates. The estimate is for the contractor to do their due diligence and the bid would be on us. There would be a contract with them that they will have to hold to.

July 3rd is coming up. Could we not have no parking signs along the one section of Elm and Livingston so emergency vehicles can get on Hiawatha if necessary. Will talk with Tony and Cody to make sure to include that section.

d. City Attorney, Susan Hess

e. Police Chief, Luke Kovacic

f. Public Works Director, Tony VanOstrand

g. Fire Chief, Joe Heim

3. 24-0703 Speakers from the Floor

No speakers

4. 24-0704 Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 06/17/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 06/17/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderperson Meier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Fluhr

NEW BUSINESS:

5. 24-0705 Presentation and Discussion with Dan McDonald of Greater Dubuque in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Dan came in to fill us in on what is going on in the surrounding area. Left some items of what is going on. Just wanted to say hello to the council and that he has not forgotten us over across the river. Have a meeting at the Q on July 17th at 5:30 pm. Gave us their annual report. Doing amazing things with housing, daycare and jobs within the area.

No Action Required

6. 24-0706 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve WHKS Water Main Replacement Project of Hiawatha, Montgomery and Arrowhead Court in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

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

7. 24-0707 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Sale of Duplex at 339-341 Sinsinawa Ave in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Looking to take a lower amount since there is no access to the property. Looking to see if someone will still need to rehabilitate the property. So, the appraised value is zero and proposed new language for the sale of the property. Going from a focus of price to the focus of use and timing. Want a timeline of demolition or rehabilitation and what the land would be used for if demolition is the way they go.

Would it increase our chances if we purchased the property next door. This would make it a group deal and then be able to sell it for $55,000.

Check the amount of the lot next door.

The park was not going in back there.

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

8. 24-0708 Discussion on UTV/Golf Cart Ordinance in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Not voting on this. Letter G they will have their headlights and taillights on at all times when operating on village streets. Just need to change village to city.

Crossing state highways. Is this not superseding state law. We are not saying they are able to but if they do, they are to cross perpendicular. People just need to know the state law themselves, not up to us.

Good thing to discuss this and figure out what is needed and not needed.

Did we decide that $35 is the standard amount for the permit. Should cover the inspection of vehicle.

Do we want to add that kids need to wear helmets on side by sides. Can put something in there. We are recommending state law. No one under 18 can drive without a valid driver’s license.

What is the red reflective is basically the slow moving.

Did we look at the Wisconsin laws. No did not.

Can we change to the age of sixteen with a valid license. Think it should be this way.

Some things can be amended next time.

Next meeting it will be an action item. Yes.

No Action Required

9. 24-0709 Executive Session: 5ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

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

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

10. 24-0710 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

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve the Recommendation from the City Attorneyto Dismiss the Condemnation Action Against the East Dubuque Public Library second by Alderperson Meier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Fluhr

11. 24-0711 Adjourn

End Time: 7:04 pm

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

https://www.cityofeastdubuque.com/agenda/minutes/july-1-2024-minutes