NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met Dec. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

24C-0480 – 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 09 December 2024.

24C-0481 – ROLL CALL

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

24C-0482 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

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

24C-0483 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

24C-0484 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

No reports.

24C-0485 – CITIZENS COMMENTS

Trish Wollom, 8198 Creek Crossing Court – Wollom advised representatives from the Galena Fire Department recently knocked at her door. They said they were raising funds for their Firemen’s Ball. Wollom advised the firemen stated that the City of Galena has not given them enough funding, so they need to go door to door to raise extra money for equipment, uniforms and weekly meetings. Wollom stated she was surprised to hear that the city has not been funding the fire department but has been funding other things such as pickle ball. Wollom was unsure of the full truth of what she was told and was seeking more information on the matter. She felt awkward because she wanted to contribute but believed that fire department funding should be covered by taxes, not by door-to-door fundraising.

Rick Pariser, 113 S. High Street – Pariser expressed that he would be remiss if he did not offer his condolences to Pam Bernstein, a neighbor and pier, who recently passed away. He described Bernstein as a remarkable woman who had no motives for fame or fortune and was a true asset to the community.

Pariser praised the Capital Improvement Plan, calling it “awesome” and a remarkable piece of work. He expressed admiration for the effort and quality of data involved. As a resident, he suggested putting more emphasis on streets and sidewalks, as they are the most visible and immediate aspects that people notice.

CONSENT AGENDA CA24-23

24C-0486 – APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 25, 2024

24C-0487 – ACCEPTANCE OF THE OCTOBER 2024 FINANCIAL REPORT

24C-0488 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY THE GALENA PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT FOR THE USE OF THE GRANT PARK PAVILLION, MAY 18, 2025, FOR A PICNIC AND THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE AS PART OF THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL GALENA LITFEST

24C-0489 – APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER #2, A DEDUCTION OF $27,880.00, FOR THE NORTH DODGE STREET UTILITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

24C-0490 – APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT BA24-09 FOR $7,240 FOR LITIGATION EXPENSES AND $87,300 FOR THE NEW WATER SLIDE FOR THE POOL

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve Consent Agenda CA24-23.

Discussion: Tegtmeyer pointed out that it is not often that they have the opportunity to approve a deduction. She also highlighted an additional $7,240 allocated for continuing litigation expenses.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

24C-0491 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE RESIGNATION OF ALDERPERSON PAM BERNSTEIN EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 29, 2024

This item was removed from the agenda.

24C-0492 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN AGREEMENT WITH MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE NEW WATER SLIDE

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve an agreement with MSA Professional Services in the amount of $8,900 for civil engineering services for the new water slide, 24C-0492.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

24C-0493 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FISCAL YEARS 2026-30 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve the Fiscal Years 2026-30 Capital Improvement Plan, 24C-0493.

Discussion: Renner noted this is pretty in depth and is a great guideline for the budgeting process.

Westemeier stated he feels the city still needs to work on streets and sidewalks. The city only did Dodge Street this year due to the high cost of that. He hopes we can catch up with more streets this year.

Westemeier would like to see a priority for adding cameras at the treatment plant and wells, with a sliding gate for security.

Kieffer noted sidewalks in Grant Park need replacement as well as repairs to or replacement of the fountain. He further noted there are residential sidewalks that need to be replaced as well.

Johnson would like to focus on connecting the missing sidewalk link between the school campus and the new trail along the highway. She noted there are no sidewalks in the parking lots. She would like to see this added. Renner advised there is a little bit of a problem with property lines; however, the city has been working on it.

Johnson further noted the sidewalk on Boggess Street should extend beyond its current endpoint, as employees walk to the hotel, and citizens walk to the dog park. Renner feels the entire street needs to be replaced.

Tegtmeyer raised a question about whether new items could be approved and added immediately or if the council needs to wait until the additions are added to approve.

Tegtmeyer inquired about the status of the Westwick parking and development project, which has been in the CIP for a while. Moran advised the $750,000 from the general fund was earmarked, but there has been no recent communication about this project post-COVID. At that time, the City reached out to them to let them know the city would be interested in the property. Tegtmeyer questioned if the $750,000 was expected to cover the purchase price, parking and restrooms.

Both the general fund and Galena Country Tourism fund the resurfacing of the Depot parking lot and installation of EV chargers. Tegtmeyer questioned if that would be a 50/50 split. Moran advised the funding split remains unclear, but mentioned Galena Country Tourism did say they would help with funding.

The lead service line replacement project in the CIP is scheduled for completion in early 2025. The current contract is on track to finish early 2025. Another grant is being pursued to complete the entire city’s lead service line replacement.

The phosphorus levels in the water are under study due to the possibility of more stringent standards, which could require changes at the treatment plant.

Tegtmeyer advised the light fixtures on Meeker Street say they were replaced in December 2024. She questioned if this was already done. Moran advised they have not been replaced. This will involve replacing the fixture heads on the light poles.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

24C-0494 – WARRANTS

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the Warrants as presented, 24C 0494.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

24C-0495 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

Fire Department Funding – Kieffer advised the Capital Improvement Plan has an addition planned for the Fire Department which will cost $2 million dollars as well as a rolling stock plan which systematically replaces trucks and equipment.

Holidaze Festival – Johnson mentioned the success of the recent Holidaze festival, highlighting the petting zoo.

Condolences – Johnson extended her condolences to Pam Bernstein’s family stating Pam was a great asset to the council and will be missed.

Funding – Tegtmeyer gave credit to Cindy Johnson for the idea of creating a fund to help residents with financial assistance to meet historic requirements for their homes and buildings.

Sidewalks – Tegtmeyer noted a lot of sidewalks are easement sidewalks, so creating a fund to assist with sidewalk repairs would be beneficial as well.

Broad Bingo Event – Tegtmeyer discussed the Broad Bingo event that celebrated local women in the tri-state area. Pam Bernstein was one of the women highlighted on the bingo card. Tegtmeyer shared the following about Pam: Nearly 30 years ago, Pam and her husband moved to Galena seeking community, which they found. She served three terms (12 years) on the Galena City Council. Pam is often associated with the big purple dumpster, as she spearheaded glass recycling at the Piggly Wiggly. She recently became an advocate for bird conservation. Tegtmeyer expressed her gratitude, saying Pam will be missed.

Luminaria/Living Windows – Wienen feels more planning needs to be done for this event.

Fire Department – Westemeier stated the Galena Fire Department goes door to door for their dance in March. The department does get taxes from the city as well as the rural district. Other departments have breakfasts and dinners to help offset some of the smaller costs.

Fire Department - Matt Oldenburg advised the fire department has been fundraising for their dances since the 1940’s. It helps lower community budget costs by funding training, equipment and uniforms. These efforts also help build community engagement and interaction. The goal is to get to know the community, understand their needs, and identify potential property issues. The department gets a lot of support from the tax base which goes toward expenses.

24C-0496 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Glass Recycling – Moran wanted to make mention of the purple dumpster in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot, which is part of the city’s glass recycling initiative. Alderperson Pam Bernstein is remembered for her role in bringing the glass recycling program to Galena. Montgomery Trucking stopped taking glass approximately 8 years ago. The city began its own recycling program 5 years ago. The city has recycled a total of 425 tons of glass. This averages eighty five tons per year, costing approximately eighteen cents per resident per month. The program has been highly successful, and Alderperson Bernstein was very proud of it.

24C-0497 – MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Renner stated it was a fabulous weekend for the Holidaze Festival and fireworks and thanked the Police and Public Works Departments for their hard work in supporting the events.

Mayor Renner offered his condolences to the family of Pam Bernstein, wishing her to rest in peace.

24C-0498 – ADJOURNMENT

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

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.

https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/Council_Packet_12_23C07F1015A00.pdf