NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met Oct. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

24C-0419 – 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 28 October 2024.

24C-0420 – ROLL CALL

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

Absent: Bernstein

24C-0421 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

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

24C-0422 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

24C-0423 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

No reports.

24C-0424 – CITIZENS COMMENTS

Barb Hocker, 606 Dewey Avenue – Hocker expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the Halloween Parade. She noted there was only one negative comment regarding chairs being set up too early, while all other feedback was positive.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to open the public hearing on an application for Preliminary Plat of Subdivision by Galena Prime Hotels, LLC, 11383 U.S. Highway 20 W, for the division of two parcels totaling 16.54 acres into three parcels.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0425 – PUBLIC HEARING ON AN APPLICATION FOR PRELIMINARY PLAT OF SUBDIVISION BY GALENA PRIME HOTELS, LLC, 11383 U.S. HIGHWAY 20 W, FOR THE DIVISION OF TWO PARCELS TOTALING 16.54 ACRES INTO THREE PARCELS

Testimony: None.

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer to close the public hearing on an application for Preliminary Plat of Subdivision by Galena Prime Hotels, LLC, 11383 U.S. Highway 20 W, for the division of two parcels totaling 16.54 acres into three parcels.

Discussion: None.

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

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA CA24-20

24C-0426 – APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 15, 2024

24C-0427 – APPROVAL OF ANNUAL CONTRACT WITH JO DAVIESS COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES FOR STRAY DOG PICK-UP SERVICES FOR THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1, 2024-NOVEMBER 30, 2025

24C-0428 – APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER #1 (FINAL) FOR THE 2024 ACCESS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

24C-0429 – ACCEPTANCE OF SEPTEMBER 2024 FINANCIAL REPORT Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve Consent Agenda CA24-20.

Discussion: Tegtmeyer was happy to see the access improvements were made under item 24C-0428.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

24C-0430 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ESTABLISHING THE AMOUNT OF THE 2024 TAX LEVY FOR TAXES TO BE COLLECTED IN 2025

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Wienen to establish the amount of property taxes the City of Galena expects to levy in 2024, to be collected in 2025 is $1,593,744, freezing the taxes at the 2024 rate.

Discussion: Westemeier emphasized the need for the city to consider taxpayers, especially since many faced tax increases this year. He proposed freezing taxes for the current year. The council agreed with Westemeier’s proposal. Wienen supported the idea, noting that the city has healthy funds.

The tax rate will be set at $1.10 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0431 – WATER AND SEWER OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MONTHLY REPORT FROM U.S. WATER

Andrew Schuler gave the report for the month of September. The wastewater treatment plant processed 16.3 million gallons, while total water production reached 15.3 million gallons, with 65% billed. The budget is on track. The Dodge Street water and sewer project is completed, and assistance will be provided to Five Star for lead line replacements. Renner noted a decrease in unmetered water and stable chemical budget costs.

Utility Billing Clerk Sue Simmons mentioned they are investigating meters with zero reads. She has contacted property owners and found that some meters have stopped working, indicating a potential need for additional funds for new meters, since many homes are second residences, it makes stopped meters difficult to locate.

24C-0432 – WARRANTS

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve the Warrants as presented, 24C 0432.

Discussion: None.

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

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0433 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

Halloween Parade – Johnson expressed gratitude to all emergency services, police, public works, and volunteers for their efforts in making the parade a success. She highlighted the police’s role in ensuring that handicapped parking spots were occupied by those in need, allowing them to enjoy the parade.

Thank you – Tegtmeyer thanked staff for having the livestream of the parade.

Comprehensive Plan – Tegtmeyer reminded everyone the meeting dates are coming up for the Comprehensive Plan. She would like to have a report/update from the committee in November.

Highway 20/Gear Street – Tegtmeyer reported that Gear Street residents are pleased with the improvements, noting a significant reduction in noise and the maintenance of a 20-mph speed limit. She mentioned that there are ongoing efforts to address visibility issues at the intersections of Summit and High Streets.

Budget – Tegtmeyer noted there are leftover funds in the budget from 403 S. Main Street. She proposed allocating that money, along with the profits from the sale of the building, towards improvements to restrooms and parking.

Thank you – Wienen thanked all of the volunteers and workers who helped with the parade as well as the whole town of Galena for putting up with another crazy October.

Thank you – Wienen expressed gratitude to the Police and Public Works Departments for their hard work during Oktoberfest, Country Fair and the Halloween parade, commending them for their tremendous efforts.

Parade – Kieffer said it was a great weekend for a parade, and everyone worked hard.

24C-0434 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Comprehensive Plan Meetings – Moran announced the first meeting will be held Tuesday evening at the Galena Middle School, aimed at introducing the planning commission. Additionally, there will be a meeting Wednesday morning at Turner Hall for the business community, followed up by a community-wide visioning workshop that evening at Galena Middle School.

Change Order – Moran advised the change order was for the sidewalk project from Cobblestone to Culvers. The city has fulfilled our obligation to make the connection and the residents love it.

403 S. Main Street – Moran reported the sale of the building closed last Friday. Everything went smoothly and he thanked Joe Nack for handling the process.

24C-0434 – MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Renner expressed gratitude to the Police Department, Public Works Department, City Staff, and the parade committee for their hard work on the parade, noting its success and how the area appeared unaffected the following day. He also thanked the citizens for their patience with the increased traffic and crowds.

Additionally, Mayor Renner mentioned that both High and Summit Streets have been reported to the highway department for attention.

24C-0435 – ADJOURNMENT

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Westemeier, to adjourn.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m.

https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/cc102824_6EAD0F4DC82D5.pdf