NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met Sept. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

24C-0368 – 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 23 September 2024.

24C-0369 – ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein (via teleconference), Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner

24C-0370 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

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

24C-0371 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

24C-0372 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

No reports.

24C-0373 – CITIZENS COMMENTS

Tessa Flock, 513 Bouthillier, Galena History Museum – Flock stated the museum is requesting the city increase the utility and maintenance reimbursement to the museum. Typically, the city reimburses $5,000 for utilities and maintenance on the Barrows Mansion. This year the museum is requesting the amount be increased to $17,000. The additional $12,000 will be put towards porch repairs. The porches have become a safety hazard. Flock advised due to a limited budget; the museum does not have the funds to pay for the $25,000 to repair the porches. They are asking the city to cover half of the cost for repairs.

CONSENT AGENDA CA24-18

24C-0374 – APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 09, 2024

24C-0375 – APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER #1 (FINAL) IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,693.00 FOR THE GREEN STREET REPAIRS PROJECT

24C-0376 – APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A BUDGETED UTILITY TRAILER FOR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,370 FROM AVALON TRAILERS, RICKARDSVILLE, IOWA

24C-0377 – ACCEPTANCE OF AUGUST 2024 FINANCIAL REPORT

24C-0378 – ACCEPTANCE OF SUMMER 2024 YEAR-END SWIMMING POOL REPORT

24C-0379 – APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT BA24-06 FOR WATER METER PURCHASES AND ADDITIONAL WATER METER REVENUE

24C-0380 – APPROVAL OF THE COUNTRY FAIR WEEKEND AND HALLOWEEN WEEKEND PUBLIC PARKING LOT OPERATIONS PLAN

24C-0381 – APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE AUTHORIZED SIGNERS FOR BANK ACCOUNTS HELD BY THE CITY OF GALENA

24C-0382 – APPROVAL OF ILLINOIS EPA PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN 17-6109 LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT REQUEST #9 IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,936.00, INCLUDING ORIGIN DESIGN INVOICES 80728, 80582, AND 80824 TOTALING $3,936.00 AND CFP, INC. INVOICE #5 IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve Consent Agenda CA24-18.

Discussion: Wienen thanked the council for increasing the amount given back to the groups working the parking lots to 75 percent.

Bernstein noted the following correction to the minutes: Page 8, City Administrators Comments, change the word towner to tower and the word log to logo.

Tegtmeyer thanked Hillary Dickerson for the detailed pool report.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

24C-0383 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST BY THE GALENA-JO DAVIESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR FUNDING ASSISTANCE WITH BUILDING REPAIRS ON THE MUSEUM

Motion: Johnson moved, seconded by Westemeier to approve the request by the Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society to assist them with an additional $12,375 for building repairs, 24C-0383.

Discussion: Council felt it was a fair and reasonable request and the work needs to be done for safety reasons.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

24C-0384 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ZONING CALENDAR NO 24PDA-02M A REQUEST BY GALENA UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #120 FOR A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE FRONT SETBACK AT FRANKLIN STREET FOR LOCATION OF THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve Zoning Calendar No. 24-PDA 02M, a request by Galena Unit School District #120 for a planned unit development amendment to change the front setback at Franklin Street for location of the new high school, 24C-0384.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

24C-0385 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING OF THE GALENA UNIT SCHO0L DISTRICT #120 PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the first reading, waive the second reading of an ordinance amending the zoning of the Galena Unit District #120 Planned Unit Development, 24C-0385.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

24C-0386 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A CONTRACT WITH WIPFLI FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE REFUELING PROPERTY TAX CREDIT

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve a contract with WIPFLI for the preparation of an application for the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit, 24C 0386.

Discussion: Council thanked WIPFLI for bringing this opportunity to the city’s attention.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

24C-0387 – WATER AND SEWER OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MONTHLY REPORT FROM U.S. WATER

Andrew Schuler gave the water and sewer operations report for the Month of August. The wastewater treatment plant treated 17.7 million gallons. Drinking water produced was 16.6 million gallons with 60 percent billed.

Schuler presented the city check for $6,292.20 for overages on expenses. Schuler shared a breakdown of the expenses.

The water tower painting is complete. They will proceed with filling and disinfection tomorrow. The tower should be up and running by Friday.

Schuler advised they plan to do fall leak detection as well as help with the lead line replacements.

Wienen questioned if there was a more aggressive plan to replace commercial meters. Schuler advised they are waiting on meters. As more meters are installed, they will have more data. Wienen questioned if locations could be identified, and meters ordered ahead of time. Schuler stated the city would have to be more aggressive in buying more meters.

Work on Dodge and High Streets will start next Monday. It will take approximately a month to complete. It will remain open to thru traffic.

24C-0388 – WARRANTS

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve the Warrants as presented, 24C 0388.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

24C-0389 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

Handicap Parking Sign – Westemeier advised the handicap parking sign in the parking lot on High Street needs to be moved to the wall or be placed in the parking stall. It is difficult to see behind the railing.

Field Street Sidewalk – Wienen noted the sidewalk along field street with the broken metal piping has not been touched. It needs to be repaired and weed wacked.

Thank you – Wienen thanked Hillary for the detailed pool report.

Highway 20 Project – Kieffer noted the highway project is taking shape and looks nice. Nameplates – Tegtmeyer thanked staff for the nameplates.

Pickel Ball – Tegtmeyer questioned when the sound study for the pickle ball courts was coming to the council.

Comprehensive Plan Meetings – Tegtmeyer questioned if the Comprehensive Plan meetings have started, when will the community involvement will take place and when the committee will report back to the city council.

Board Positions – Tegtmeyer advised applications for the Zoning Board and Historic Preservation Commission are due back by September 30, 2024. She also noted anyone interested in running for council can find information on the city’s website.

Sale of 403 S. Main Street – Tegtmeyer stated she would be interested in seeing the remainder of the budget planned for reconstruction of 403 S. Main Street and the profit from the sale to go towards addressing parking and restroom issues.

24C-0390 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Comprehensive Plan – Moran reported the committee is planning to start the public engagement process October 29th and following up with other public meetings on October 30th. Staff will work with the Galena Gazette to work on a series of articles that will be coming out. It will also be advertised on our website as well as Facebook. Moran advised residents can sign up for email and/or text alerts that are specific to the Comprehensive Plan through the website.

Pickle ball – Moran advised he is still working with the group on assembling the information. It may be on the next agenda.

Meeting – Moran advised the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, due to the holiday.

24C-0391 – MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Renner thanked Hillary, pool staff and public works for making the pool a great place for citizens to go. Great report.

Great weekend for homecoming and everything went well.

24C-0392 – ADJOURNMENT

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

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.

https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/Council_Packet_10_4E8282FDD6274.pdf