NW Illinois News

City of East Dubuque City Council met Nov. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

1. 24-1115 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. 24-1116 Conduct of Public Hearing Regarding a Plan to Issue Not to Exceed $4,500,000 in Aggregate Principal Amount of the City’s General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Read the information for the Bond information to let everyone know what is going to be with the bonds. There are no written or persons here for or against the Issue of $4,500,000 Bond.

Public Hearing closed at 6:04 pm.

3. 24-1117 Staff Reports

a. City Manager Report

Update on the K-9 program we have an agreement with the county. This is to sell both Odin and the vehicle together. Odin will be $7,000 and the vehicle is $48,000 which will then keep Odin in the area and working with us also. Thinks this was a good outcome and the money will be placed back into the account for future K-9 use.

The Line of Credit our six-month effort to establish a line of credit has paid off. We are approved for $500,000 line of credit which is required to come to council to access the money. The purpose is in an event of disaster we have the ability to meet it. But more likely it will allow us to invest more into the city. Does not have to be used which in turn does not cost us anything.

The new pump for the 6th Street pumping station will be installed soon. This will improve the reliability for the system. Will not have to worry about pump breaking down when we need it the most. Which this improves our preparation for future issues.

Construction updates notice the NuEra building has been delivered and in place. They are planning on opening in December. Bridge City Collective the one downtown here, has the plumbing and electrical done with the walls being completed.

90 Sinsinawa foundation is poured and ready to begin construction.

Police Station the rain is on the outside of the building. With moving ahead with construction there.

166 Sinsinawa has plans for another entertainment venue is with our engineers being reviewed for approval of a building permit.

The Duplex is moving ahead nicely. They are ready to shingle the roof in the back believe they are also repairing the windows. They have sixty days up till December 10th but they have cleared out all the mess inside with the work on the roof and windows.

The Menominee properties that we have been working on for so long have been sold and work has already started on them. They are going to be rebuilt for housing.

The Leibold Irrigation property being constructed on the state line. They have submitted their plans to us so that we can review them for building permit in the hopes that we can get an agreement for Annexation into the city limits. Which will then put their construction under our authority.

b. Mayor Report

Remind all the liquor license holders that we need your paperwork in by the end of the day next Monday the 25th.

Representative Tony McCombie will have office hours on the 26th from 11 am till 12:30 pm at the Library.

c. Alderperson Report

i. Belken

ii. Burgmeier

iii. Degenhardt

iv. Fluhr

v. Meier

vi. Robey

Car that has been underneath the bridge with flat tires for about a year. Can we have someone look into it. Has Iowa plates on it.

d. City Attorney, Susan Hess

e. Police Chief, Luke Kovacic

i. September 482 Calls

ii. October 461 Calls

f. Public Works Director, Tony VanOstrand

g. Fire Chief, Joe Heim

i. Retirement of Firefighter/EMT

Want to recognize Tom Lange who retired last week with 30 years with the department. Started as a Firefighter/Paramedic then Asst. Chief for 15 years with ending being a Firefighter/EMT.

4. 24-1118 Speakers from the Floor

No Speakers.

5. 24-1119 Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 11/04/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 11/04/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderperson Meier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried

NEW BUSINESS:

6. 24-1120 Discussion of the Quarterly Budget Report in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Went through the budget letting the council know the higher cost in the budget was and that we are looking good right now. Property taxes are below 3% and will not have a huge impact with the budget. Fire gave him a hard time because of the $400,000 donation that they received.

Getting to the bottom line, we anticipated on the operations side we would be in the black by $413,810.00 which we now anticipate we would finish the year $772,000 in the black. This is not a real number because you have the increase in the donation amount.

Mayor – I know we do not talk about the dispensaries in these numbers but with the dispensaries being built up and ready to go. This money has not been incorporated into the budget as of now. This is the way is should be done. We wanted a system where we can report quarterly to the council. This is great work.

No action required.

7. 24-1121 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve a Resolution Authorizing Execution for the Sale of Surplus Property in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

These are items that are not being used anymore. In some cases, we would be able to get a little amount for them. In other cases, it is not as important that we get the money we think something should be. Will clear up space. What is new is the jail cells that we know there is a market for them but not sure where that market is.

Mayor read the list of Jail Cells, Polaris 500 4-wheeler, 1988 Charles Mach Trailer, 2008 Tymco Sweeper – International, 2008 F650 Bucket Truck – No Title, 5 – Military 4” Fuel Transfer Pumps, Military Pressure Washer and Holmotro Core Extrication Tools.

In addition to the purchase of surplus there is an indemnity agreement that they are purchased as is. We are not responsible for anything that might go wrong with it. The sales will be various ways depending on the things. Some things might be up for sale and other things might be put up for bids. This is the first step of just getting them out there.

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

8. 24-1122 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Amendment to Ordinance for Self-Storage Facilities in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

We have an interested party going through the annexation process. They are a self-storage facility that will be brought into the city limits. Which will increase the tax base for the city. One thing the are desiring is the change in our code related to outdoor storage. That prevents outside storage for storage facilities. It allows us to treat anything that looks bad.

Alderperson Robey asked if this was the only storage facility in the city limits. No, it is not. The other is on Hwy 35.

Alderperson Belken asked what creates a public nuisance.

Alderperson Robey asked if we could reword it a little bit. Other than just public nuisance because people just piled stuff out there. Would like to have it reworded to say RV’s and vehicles are kept to the back of the property. Thinks we should also add no appliances, no garbage, no furniture kept outside.

City Manager this states boats, RVs and other vehicles may be allowed in areas in which it will not create a public nuisance.

Alderperson Robey suggested that we add they are not to be wrecked vehicles that they should be operable vehicles.

City Manager says the nuisance provision is what we use to keep people from having junk in their yard and would work for this also. This is a business that operates under our authority and if we say they can’t they can’t.

Attorney Hess and our ordinance defines nuisance broadly so that we can capture a lot of different things with it.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve An Amendment to Ordinance for Self-Storage Facilities second by Alderperson Degenhardt ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Nays – Alderperson Robey

9. 24-1123 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Law Enforcement Merit and Service Award in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Been trying to replace our law enforcement officers. We have reduced the total police force from 7 to 6. Think we are doing well at 6. Thinks we have been able to save money in the police budget by doing it. With losing two just recently has left us shorthanded. Have been able to hire one officer right now. Applications have been very sparce which gave us one certified officer and one that is new of the street.

The other side is the retention side that we cannot keep them here. We train them and then when they get up to speed they move on. There is a $3,500 difference from a long-time officer to one that is done with academy not much to keep them.

Believes in Merit Pay and Award. You have an incentive to work with and stay with the city. You have decompressed the salary structure which is currently a $3,500 between your veteran and new officer. They will not receive these until they have finished their year. The payout would be at the end of our fiscal year of April 30th. With this you have an incentive to have good evaluations and to stay with the city.

Recommend to approve this will be good for retention, will be good for excellence and it will be respectful of people making a commitment to the city. While this will also tell them we are making a commitment to them as they work for the city.

Mayor agree with the City Manager. For to long we have been approving grounds and training center for other departments. In reality we are competing against the other people who are hiring. Thinks this is a good commitment and taking a look at those numbers it is a wonder why we did not maintain anyone.

Alderperson Degenhardt so if another department can give them more they end up moving on down the road.

Alderperson Robey so we gave a $20,000 sign on bonus and we only got one applicate. What is going to be the difference with this. Because the ad with the sign on bonus also had our pay range. Looked at several pay ranges around the county and we are pretty competitive in terms of pay. See, it is who you are competing against. If you look at their population and tax base compared to ours we are not that far off. The City Manager argued that we are competing against Dubuque which is what 60,000 because we are several hundred yards from a city of 60,000. If you also look at where our problems are coming from and the issues are with fights nearly every week this summer. These are often started in Dubuque and came over here. Are there other issues he sure there are but there are not other issues that can be addressed and hope of being effective.

When the ad was placed on the Blueline website they downplayed our pay range. It was there but they downplayed it in the ad. It was the hope when you get the sign on bonus and by the way when you get the sign on bonus this is paid out over multiple years. You will not be getting the year’s bonus.

Alderperson Robey asked what the total compensation package is for a first-year person without bonus is it not $92,000 (Insurance, IMRF and everything). It is a lot of money. We do pay a generous health insurance. When is the union contract up. May of 2026. So would it not be better to do next year a bonus and then restructure our pay scale in the next union contract. With using this as a bargaining chip. We need to do a memorandum of understanding with the Union. Just basically making them aware of it.

Alderperson Degenhardt if you want to keep people here you need to make it right, treat them right and pay them right and they will stay. Alderperson Robey agrees with that. Gone through

50 years of this and lost numbers and numbers of officers because they were trained right and then went to another department.

Alderperson Robey asked if this is going to keep him. She is just asking if they do a bonus for one year and then when they go into contract discussions about restructuring our pay. Would that not be better then doing bonuses. The City Manager would rather pay bonuses than pay under the union contract. It allows us at our discretion to reduce eliminate. He would rather the pay be based on merit and excellence then on the union contract.

Alderperson Fluhr asked how the city is paying for it. Just went through the budget these numbers are figured into it.

Alderperson Meier just looking at the cost you have in front of us its costing us $118,000 compared to if they stayed at $65,000. That speaks for itself right there. Was your $20,000 in your cost planning on your sheet right here. This is a different issue.

Alderperson Robey but we gave a $20,000 sign on bonus that really did not do us any good.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve Law Enforcement Merit and Service Award second by Alderperson Belken ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Nays – Alderperson Robey

10. 24-1124 Discussion and Approval of IEPA PWSL 17-6364 in the Amount of $10,628.93 Including CFPS, Inc. Invoice #5 and Fischer Excavation Pay Application #2 Revised Final in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This is a change that the state is paying for any way.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve IEPA PWSL 17-6364 in the Amount of $10,628.93 Including CFPS, Inc. Invoice #5 and Fischer Excavation Pay Application #2 Revised Final second by Alderperson Meier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried

11. 24-1125 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve and Authorize Mayor and City Clerk to Certify and Publish the Annual Treasurer’s Report for the City of East Dubuque for the Fiscal Year Ending 4/30/2023 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Crediting Alderperson Robey for finding out that the report was not done. So, we missed for putting this out for public view. This is the posting that needs to be done per state law.

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve and Authorize Mayor and City Clerk to Certify and Publish the Annual Treasurer’s Report for the City of East Dubuque for the Fiscal Year Ending 4/30/2023 second by Alderperson Robey ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried

12. 24-1126 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve and Authorize Mayor and City Clerk to Certify and Publish the Annual Treasurer’s Report for the City of East Dubuque for the Fiscal Year Ending 4/30/2024 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Robey to Approve and Authorize Mayor and City Clerk to Certify and Publish the Annual Treasurer’s Report for the City of East Dubuque for the Fiscal Year Ending 4/30/2024 second by Alderperson Degenhardt ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried

13. 24-1127 Executive Session: 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Personnel Matters / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Go into Executive Session second by Alderperson Meier 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

14. 24-1128 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

No action needed

15. 24-1129 Adjourn

End Time: 7:34 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/november-18-minutes