NW Illinois News

City of East Dubuque City Council met Dec. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

1. 24-1201 Call to Order – Mayor Digman

Start Time: 6:00 pm

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

2. 24-1202 Staff Reports

a. City Manager Report

K-9 program the agreement with the Sheriff’s department fell through. Due to personnel issues which made them not able to take Odin. Was able to transfer Odin to the training facility where he will keep training. Will cost us $750 a month to keep him there. We will put out feelers throughout Illinois and Wisconsin to see if there is a place for Odin. We have a couple of things we can do for the vehicle also by selling it as it is or transferring it back to it is original and putting it into our fleet. All the funds will remain with the K-9 program. This is so we can start up this program again in the future. This is another setback because we were hoping to see Odin in town.

We made our first investments with secure funds. We bought an 8-month certificate with funds that we had at DB&T. It is dollars that we do not need at this time. With this money earning us 4.5% which should be earning $1,200 a month. Stay tuned, we will be finding other funds to invest as we are going forward.

Calling all Contractors anyone that does any work we are working on. Would like businesses to come forward and we will keep a list so that we are able to reach out when new projects become available.

Next will be the demolition of the inside of the police building. Contractors who would like to make estimates on that should come forward. There will be all manor of plumbing, electrical and other things that will be going on with this building. Wants to make sure that anyone in East Dubuque has the opportunity compete for that work. Because the competition and keeping the money in the city.

b. Mayor Report

On behalf of the EDGE Foundation wants to thank all the bars that participated in the Chili Crawl on the past Saturday. Also, the people that participated in the Chili Crawl. This was used to raise funds for the fireworks. Looking forward to making changes and doing it next year.

c. Alderperson Report

i. Belken

nuEra is supposed to be opening up pretty quick is that correct. Yes. Wondering if the council could do a tour of the building.

ii. Burgmeier

iii. Degenhardt

The gentleman that is working on the duplex is really going at it. Thinks he is doing a great job. Just hope people notice all the hard work he is putting into the building.

iv. Fluhr

v. Meier

vi. Robey

Camper that is parked in between the two houses. Is there anything we can do about that? Do not think they drove over the curb because there is a cut. But they have to drive over a sidewalk. Do not know if we have anything for it but we can certainly entertain an ordinance. Just because it is a camper does not mean it is a nuisance.

d. City Attorney, Susan Hess

e. Police Chief, Luke Kovacic

i. November 380 Calls

f. Public Works Director, Tony VanOstrand

g. Fire Chief, Joe Heim

i. Heartsaver Hero Awards

Heartsaver Hero Awards to Joseph Leitzinger, Riley Burton and Steve Oberfoell for saving the life of Kenny Kline a fellow Newt Marine employee. On August 28, 2024 Joe heard Kenny collapse in the breakroom when checking on him Joe found him unresponsive and called for his supervisor Steve. Steve then called 911 and directed a fellow employee to stand outside to direct emergency help then asked for the AED. Once Riley returned with the AED the three employees followed the AED instructions while taking turns performing CPR. East Dubuque Police Officer Lange was the first to arrive and joined in the life saving efforts. Thanks to these three men Kenny has survived his cardiac arrest. So read and presented the awards to Joe, Steve and Riley.

3. 24-1203 Speakers from the Floor

No Speakers.

4. 24-1204 Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 11/18/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 11/18/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderperson Degenhardt ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Fluhr

NEW BUSINESS:

5. 24-1205 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve A Resolution Granting Request for Voluntary Annexation of Real Property to the City of East Dubuque, Illinois, Owned by J & J Aces Storage, LLC, and Presently Located in Jo Daviess County, Illinois in the City of East Dubuque,

Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This went to the Zoning Board just before this meeting. This passed unanimously with them. This is about the land to be annexed into the city. This would bring according to the tax bill $566,000 of additional value to the city with $2,800 of revenue each year. This is an opportunity to grow the tax base in the city without any actual cost to the city. The City Manager recommends the annexation of J & J Aces Storage, LLC.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve A Resolution Granting Request for Voluntary Annexation of Real Property to the City of East Dubuque, Illinois, Owned by J & J Aces Storage, LLC, and Presently Located in Jo Daviess County, Illinois second by Alderperson Belken ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Nays – Alderperson Robey Absent – Alderperson Fluhr

6. 24-1206 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve A Resolution to Establish Zoning Classification for Property Owned by J & J Aces Storage, LLC, Recently Annexed into the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This is just giving it a business classification. It is neighboring another business that is within the city of East Dubuque. Which fits with the use of the area. The City Manager recommends this.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve A Resolution to Establish Zoning Classification for Property Owned by J & J Aces Storage, LLC, Recently Annexed into the City of East Dubuque second by Alderperson Degenhardt ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Nays – Alderperson Robey Absent – Alderperson Fluhr

7. 24-1207 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve A Resolution Establishing a Tax Abatement for J & J Aces Storage, LLC in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

So, in keeping with what has been the case in the last number of years. Every business or property coming into the city has received a three-year tax abatement which was part of the negotiation to bring the property into the city. This is a long term with bring in revenue after the three years. The City Manager recommends this.

Alderperson Robey – If we abate this does it abate the fire tax. We fund fire protection out of the regular city tax.

Alderperson Belken – pointed out what it would be for the three years and said in the long run it is a win for the city.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve A Resolution Establishing a Tax Abatement for

J & J Aces Storage, LLC second by Alderperson Belken ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt and Alderperson Meier Motion carried Nays – Alderperson Robey Absent – Alderperson Fluhr

8. 24-1208 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve All Liquor and City Licenses of Various Classes for Calendar Year January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 Pending Completed Applications in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

There are still seven businesses that have miscellaneous items needed. Which are real simple things. Have a total of twenty-one businesses, one Liquor License A, four Liquor License B and sixteen Liquor License C. Eight will have outside consumption areas with seventeen that have video gaming.

Motion by Alderperson Meier to Approve All Liquor and City Licenses of Various Classes for Calendar Year January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 Pending Completed Applications second by Alderperson Burgmeier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried Absent – Alderperson Fluhr 

9. 24-1209 Adjourn

End Time: 6:24 pm

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

https://www.cityofeastdubuque.com/agenda/minutes/december-2-2024-minutes