NW Illinois News

City of East Dubuque City Council met Sept. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

1. 24-0911 Call to Order – Mayor Digman

Start Time: 6:00 pm

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

2. 24-0912 Staff Reports

a. City Manager Report

Just want to remind folks of the financial review we did at the last meeting. This will have meaning tonight. Bottom lines is that City’s cash on hand is about 2.3 million and running about double the rate amount of revenue then was expected above expenditures. We anticipated ending the year operations with $413,000 at 25% of the year we are 51% of the way to that goal. The enterprise side is a little iffier which has to do with a lot of water main breaks this year. But we are still projected to be $18,000 over the anticipated amount. Laying this out because this will be the groundwork of a lot of the discussion later on.

b. Mayor Report

Last week had the opportunity to take papers around for our Façade program. Just wanted to get the word out there because it seemed to end once it was approved. People were receptive to the program and hope to get some action on that.

Called and talked with Dittmer Recycling about the recycling bin. When talking with them asked them to slow it down and be a little more cautious about leaving a trail of recycling on the road. They said they would take care of talking with their driver.

Reminder that the election petition papers are available to be taken out and then due back November 12-15 and 18 by 4 pm.

c. Alderperson Report

i. Belken

ii. Burgmeier

iii. Degenhardt

iv. Fluhr

Approached over the weekend saying they are not able to get UTV sticker because they need to be a resident. No, they do not need to be a resident. They do need to meet the requirements. We have issued sixteen permits so far.

v. Meier

vi. Robey

That is the amount of permits we issued so far is sixteen.

d. City Attorney, Susan Hess

e. Police Chief, Luke Kovacic

f. Public Works Director, Tony VanOstrand

g. Fire Chief, Joe Heim

3. 24-0913 Speakers from the Floor

No speakers

4. 24-0914 Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 09/03/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 09/03/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderperson Degenhardt ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried

OLD BUSINESS:

7. 24-0907 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Estimates from Bonnet Property Managers or Clay’s Property Services, LLC for City Playgrounds in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

There is no action that needs to be taken on this tonight. Motion that passed last meeting was that each received two playgrounds a piece. There was an addition to the motion to add the rubberized pellets instead of wood chips. Went ahead with the rubberized pellets which is the reason for bringing it back because of the amount that was more then the council anticipated. Still recommending that we still do it. The money we do spend on the playgrounds will decrease the deficit. The mulch that was going to be used was $1,600 per playground and the pellets $46,000 and just heard tonight since brought back to council and delayed purchasing that they cut the price 10%. Went back to the contractors to allow them to reevaluate their proposals. So, the cost of the project goes from around $25,000 to $67,000. But will have a relative solution to the chip issue. Anyone have any questions, want to change anything or decide on a color for the pellets.

Noticed that all the invoices from IMC that they all have freight on them. Yes, the City is buying all the pellets so that will reduce the number of trucks that will be delivering them.

Color choices are blue, brown, black and red. Does not black get hotter. They claim that they do not. Will go with blue.

No motion required.

NEW BUSINESS:

5. 24-0915 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Purchase of Rescue Pumper from Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

The voters passed a referendum which allowed for bonding up to $1.5 million. Found a demo truck for $650,000 and the space them apart between 12 to 14 years between. The second truck found a 2011 that met the needs of the department. Updating this truck would be $375,000 with another $50,000 to make it how we need it for here in the City. This truck we anticipate paying with cash so we need to put 25% down now but the truck will not be ready until spring. Want to give credit to Chief Heim and Fire Department finding these trucks. There will be no tax increase to purchase these trucks. The long-term debt will roughly be a third of the cost which is zero interest.

Like everything there will need to be some work to be done on it. Right now, it has low millage you do not see in that age of a truck. This will help get on a better rotation with the trucks.

Is this replacing another truck. It is replacing the 1996 truck.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Purchase of Rescue Pumper from Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus second by Alderperson Robey ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried

6. 24-0916 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Resolution Authorizing Execution for the Sale of Surplus Municipal Property in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This is primarily getting rid of the apparatus we are replacing. This is just the process that we need to take. As we go forward we will have more surplus up for sale.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve Resolution Authorizing Execution for the Sale of Surplus Municipal Property second by Alderperson Burgmeier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried

7. 24-0917 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Estimate Option 1, Option 2 or Option 3 from Giese Roofing for the 193 Sinsinawa Ave Police/Fire Station Roof in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Roofing for the Police Station. Been working with companies that would be able to get this project done before snow flies. Recommends Option 3 with 30 Year warranty.

Does the temperature make a difference when this roof is laid. Short answer is no except for needs to be done before it freezes.

Do we have any preliminary numbers on this. The cost of the roofing is more than the guesstimate. The cost of the tuckpointing was pretty close. No there was no number for what the whole project would cost.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Estimate Option 3 from Giese Roofing for the 193 Sinsinawa Ave Police/Fire Station Roof second by Alderperson Degenhardt ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried

8. 24-0918 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Estimate from Fed Jackson Tuckpointing for the 193 Sinsinawa Ave Police/Fire Station Parapet Restoration in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

In order to restore the roof we need to restore the parapet so that will be able to anchor the roof to. The roof will come up the sides of the building to make the roof. Not able to anchor the roof with what is there now.

Is the police station where we have our cable antenna for public works. Chimney will also be removed which will be one less potential for leaks.

Looking at $3 to $3.5 million cost for the whole project. We are also maintaining a building that is a cornerstone of the city. Was able to put the lots that going to use for the stations up for sale. Just last week signed a building permit for one of those lots to get a $2 million investment. The developer of the other lot expecting to see his plans and get started. These will be investments to the city and tax revenue also. Instead of another government building that draws revenue down.

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve Estimate from Fed Jackson Tuckpointing for the 193 Sinsinawa Ave Police/Fire Station Parapet Restoration second by Alderperson Meier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried

9. 24-0919 Discussion and Possible Action of Oxford Street, IEPA Indian Hills Sewer Extension and IEPA Lead Service Line Replacement Programs in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Lead service lines is the easiest. We are just at the point of completing that project. Oxford that goes back and had been approved by the council. But the first go around the funding was going to be there for the water portion but not the sewer. Well now it is the opposite and is there for the sewer and not the water portion. Will cost us more because the water portion is more expensive than the sewer. Recommendation is to go ahead with both because our cash position will be sufficient and because the potential if we held out for both the next year that we would not get funding at all from the state. We would be taking on the $596,000 for the water. If we do this now, we can go to bid and have this ready to go by construction season next year. We will want to put an end date for this project. We are in a good position but a better one next year.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve Oxford Street, IEPA Indian Hills Sewer Extension and IEPA Lead Service Line Replacement Programs second by Alderperson Belken ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried

10. 24-0920 Executive Session: 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Personnel Matters / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

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

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

11. 24-0921 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Ordinance to Offer Merit Awards to Recognize the Commitment of East Dubuque Police Officers in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Robey to Approve An Ordinance to Offer Merit Awards to Recognize the Commitment of East Dubuque Police Officers second by Alderperson Burgmeier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried

12. 24-0922 Adjourn

End Time: 7:03 pm

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

https://www.cityofeastdubuque.com/agenda/minutes/september-16-2024-minutes