NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met Nov. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Regular Board Meeting 12 November 2024

24C-0430 – 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 12 November 2024.

24C-0431 – ROLL CALL

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

Absent: Bernstein

24C-0432 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

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

24C-0433 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

24C-0434 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Large Lodging Committee – Wienen reported a meeting was held. She advised there is a matching grant available for $25,000. More details can be found on the Jo Daviess County website. The committee received a presentation from the history museum requesting funding. The committee also covered other basic reports during the meeting.

24C-0435 – CITIZENS COMMENTS

Amelia Wilson, 505 Park Avenue – Wilson supported the proposed changes to Chapter 110.46, which would prevent the establishment of additional gun retail businesses in residential areas or neighborhoods.

CONSENT AGENDA CA24-21

24C-0436 – APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 28, 2024

24C-0437 – APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST FOR A YIELD SIGN AT THE DEAD-END INTERSECTION OF THIRD STREET BETWEEN ADAMS STREET AND JEFFERSON STREET

24C-0438 – APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER #1, A DEDUCTION OF $20,821, FOR THE NORTH DODGE STREET UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

24C-0439 – APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT BA24-08 FOR $10,090 FOR LITIGATION EXPENSES, N. DODGE STREET PROJECT EXPENDITURES, BUILDING SALE PROCEEDS, AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL PROJECT REVENUES AND EXPENSES

24C-0440 – APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000 FOR A TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY FOR THE NEW POOL SLIDE PROJECT

24C-0441 – APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH ORIGIN DESIGN IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,500 FOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO THE DEWEY AVENUE BRIDGE

Regular Board Meeting 12 November 2024

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve Consent Agenda CA24-21.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

24C-0442 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A PRELIMINARY PLAT OF SUBDIVISION BY PRIME HOTELS, LLC, 11383 U.S. HIGHWAY 20 W

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the request for approval of the preliminary plat of subdivision by Prime Hotels, LLC, 11383 U.S. Highway 20 W, 24C-0442.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0443 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION BY PRIME HOTELS, LLC, 11383 U.S. HIGHWAY 20 W

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the request for the approval of the final plat of subdivision by Prime Hotels, LLC, 11383 U.S. Highway 20 W, 24C-0443.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0444 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 110.46 OF THE GALENA CODE OF ORDINANCES, “FIREARMS, WEAPONS, OR MUNITIONS DEALER”

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the first reading, waive the second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 110.46 of the Galena Code of Ordinances, “Firearms, Weapons, or Munitions Dealer,” 24C-0444.

Discussion: Westemeier stated that when the applicant initially applied, they completed the necessary paperwork. He raised the question of whether those who currently hold a license would be “grandfathered in,” given that they had already been approved. He emphasized that since the license is renewed annually, he believed he should not be denied unless he did something significantly wrong.

Kieffer agreed, noting that he had already been approved and holds all of the necessary state and federal permits.

Tegtmeyer expressed confusion and sought clarification regarding changes to the ordinance. Specifically, she wanted to confirm whether the discussion was about the inclusion of a background check requirement and the requirement for the license to be approved by the Mayor and Council.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0445 – FIRST READING OF THE 2024 TAX LEVY ORDINANCE FOR TAXES TO BE COLLECTED IN 2025

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the first reading of the 2024 Tax Levy Ordinance for taxes to be collected in 2025 in the amount of $1,593,744.00, 24C-0445.

Discussion: The council approved a tax rate reduction, lowering it from $1.20 to $1.10 per $100,000 of assessed value. They expressed that it was nice to offer taxpayers some relief.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0446 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ABATING CERTAIN TAXES HERETOFORE LEVIED BY THE CITY OF GALENA FOR THE 2020 BONDS

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the first reading, waive the second reading of an ordinance abating certain taxes heretofore levied by the City of Galena for the 2020 Bonds, 24C-0446.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0447 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ABATING CERTAIN TAXES HERETOFORE LEVIED BY THE CITY OF GALENA FOR THE PALACE CAMPGROUND

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the first reading, waive the second reading of an ordinance abating certain taxes heretofore levied by the City of Galena for the Palace Campground, 24C-0447.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

Regular Board Meeting 12 November 2024

24C-0448 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ABATING CERTAIN TAXES HERETOFORE LEVIED BY THE CITY OF GALENA FOR THE GUY’S TOWING PROJECT

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the first reading, waive the second reading of an ordinance abating certain taxes heretofore levied by the City of Galena for the Guy’s Towing Project, 24C-0448.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0449 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ABATING CERTAIN TAXES HERETOFORE LEVIED BY THE CITY OF GALENA FOR THE SCHROMEN AND WILSON PROPERTY

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the first reading, waive the second reading of an ordinance abating certain taxes heretofore levied by the City of Galena for the Schromen and Wilson Property, 24C-0449.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0450 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON BIDDING BANKING SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve bidding banking services for Fiscal Year 2025-26 after the IBT merger is complete in early 2025.

Discussion: Council felt it would behoove the city to wait until the merger is complete.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0451 – WARRANTS

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve the Warrants as presented, 24C 0451.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Bernstein

The motion carried.

24C-0452 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

Happy Veterans Day – Council wished everyone a happy belated Veteran’s Day and thanked everyone for their service.

Open Burn – Johnson reminded residents open burn will be held November 21-24th.

Litigation Expenses – Tegtmeyer noted the consent agenda included an additional $10,090 in litigation expenses for the Parker Project with a total of $54,000 for this fiscal year for a total of $166,295.47.

403 S. Main Street – Tegtmeyer suggested that the council consider using the pre-budget amounts and proceeds from the sale of 403 S. Main Street for improvements related to restrooms and parking.

Comprehensive Plan Committee – Tegtmeyer requested that the committee provide a report during the city council meetings’ committee section to keep the council updated on this matter.

Comprehensive Plan Work Sessions – Tegtmeyer shared some constituents expressed concerns that the Hispanic community was not adequately engaged during the planning process and raised issues regarding the lack of bilingual language in the Comprehensive Plan.

Comprehensive Plan Meetings – Weinen attended the sessions and felt it was very well done and had a nice mix of people in attendance.

Survey – Wienen encouraged everyone to complete the surveys by VisitGalena and the Comprehensive Plan. This is an opportunity to have your input on what your plans are for the city. Tegtmeyer noted the VisitGalena survey includes a raffle.

Thank you – Westemeier thanked Louie’s Trenching for the job on North Dodge Street. They got to it and got it done.

Good Luck – Westemeier wished the Galena Pirate football team good luck in their upcoming playoff game on Saturday.

24C-0453 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Projects – Moran reported that Spring and Dodge Streets are complete. Staff will begin working on the Capital Improvement Plan and will make a presentation in December.

Comprehensive Plan – Moran encouraged residents to frequent the project website. Updates will be there. A more detailed overview of the entire process with checkpoints is on the way. The survey will be active until early December. He encouraged residents to complete the survey.

24C-0454 – MAYOR’S REPORT

Fire Department Awards Banquet – Renner attended the awards banquet for the Fire Department. He thanked them for their service to the community and encouraged them to keep up the good work. Renner noted the department is down in numbers so those who would like to join, please call city hall or contact Chief Conley.

Thank you – Mayor Renner thanked the veterans for the nice ceremony on Monday.

Congratulations – Mayor Renner congratulated both the football team and the girl’s volleyball team for a great season.

24C-0435 – ADJOURNMENT

Motion: Johnson moved, seconded by Wienen, 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 6:50 p.m.

https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/cc111224_3FB934D624B94.pdf