NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met March 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

25C-0085 – 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 10 March 2025.

25C-0086 – ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following members were present: Behlke (Arrived at 6:31 p.m.), Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner

25C-0087 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

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

25C-0088 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

25C-0089 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Comprehensive Plan – Matt Oldenburg updated the council on the recent comprehensive plan meeting held with the Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission held an open meeting on February 24th at 6:30 pm at City Hall. Kari Papelbon, Senior Planner with Houseal Lavigne Associates, presented the vision, goals, and key recommendations memorandum to the Planning Commission.

The presentation outlined the proposed vision statement, as well as goals and key recommendations focused on:

∙ Land use and development

∙ Residential and commercial/industrial areas

∙ Transportation and mobility

∙ Community facilities and public infrastructure

Carrie presented the preliminary land use framework, which is a draft future land use map. Key designations discussed included:

∙ Rural and agricultural

∙ Single and mixed residential

∙ Transitional residential

∙ Downtown Galina

∙ Commercial and industrial

∙ Public and semi-public

∙ Parks and open space

The Planning Commission proposed minor adjustments, particularly expanding the commercial and industrial areas to the northwest and along US Route 20. Houseal Lavigne Associates will incorporate these changes.

The team will draft the comprehensive plan elements and a downtown sub-area plan for review at the Planning Commission meeting in late April or early May.

The Historic Preservation Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals will also review these components.

The final comprehensive plan is expected to be ready for adoption by September.

25C-0090 – CITIZENS COMMENTS

None.

CONSENT AGENDA CA25-5

25C-0091 – APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 24, 2025

25C-0092 – APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT BA24-12 FOR CLARK VS. CITY LITIGATION EXPENSES

25C-0093 – APPROVAL OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN 17-6109 REQUEST #13 IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,275.34, INCLUDING FIVE STAR PAY APPLICATION #11, ORIGIN DESIGN INVOICE #81542 AND CFPS INVOICE #07

25C-0094 – APPROVAL OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN 17-6109 CHANGE ORDER #7 Tegtmeyer requested item 25C-0092 be removed from the Consent Agenda.

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve Consent Agenda CA25-5 with the exception of item 25C-0092.

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Wienen, Behlke

NAYS: Westemeier, Renner

The motion carried.

25C-0092 – APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT BA24-12 FOR CLARK VS. CITY LITIGATION EXPENSES

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, to not approve budget amendment BA24-12 for the Clark vs. City litigation expenses, 25C-0092.

Discussion: Tegtmeyer stated citizens have expressed concern about the litigation, and there were attempts during the election to ask questions about the issue, but those were dismissed. She noted the litigation expenses this month are significantly higher than usual, over $8,000, which is twice the typical cost. Tegtmeyer felt it was important to highlight and acknowledge the added cost and the public interest surrounding the matter.

Mayor Renner emphasized the understanding of the lawsuit, acknowledging the city's involvement and decisions that led to this point. The lawsuit is against the zoning ordinance put into place in 2003. It is important for the city to find out if the ordinance is good or bad.

Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Johnson

NAYS: Kieffer, Westemeier, Wienen, Behlke, Renner

The motion was denied.

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve budget amendment BA24-12 for the Clark vs. City litigation expenses, 25C-0092.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: Johnson

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

25C-0095 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR GENERAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WITH JO DAVIESS COUNTY TRANSIT (2025 DOWNTOWN SHUTTLE)

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Westemeier, to deny the intergovernmental agreement for general public transportation with Jo Daviess County Transit for the 2025 Downtown Shuttle, 25C-0095.

Discussion: Wienen noted this is split between the City of Galena and VisitGalena. She feels VisitGalena should pay the entire amount as part of the revenue is coming from the hotels.

Johnson voiced concerns about what would happen if VisitGalena refuses to fund the shuttle service, which is important for transportation between hotels.

Tegtmeyer agreed with the need for the shuttle service, emphasizing the low cost compared to other budget items.

Council agreed the decision to seek more funding from VisitGalena should be considered next year.

Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Behlke

NAYS: Westemeier, Johnson, Kieffer, Tegtmeyer, Renner

The motion was denied.

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve the intergovernmental agreement for general public transportation with Jo Daviess County Transit for the 2025 Downtown Shuttle, 25C-0095.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: Wienen, Behlke

The motion was denied.

25C-0096 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON 2025-26 ARCHERY DEER HUNTING PROGRAM

Motion: Johnson moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to cancel the 2025-26 Archery Deer Hunting Program, 25C-0096.

Discussion: Johnson expressed concern about the cost of the current deer management program and recommended taking a year off from the program to save money as the return on investment has not been significant-only eight deer.

A recommendation was made to use drones to track/count the deer.

A concern was raised that some hunters who signed up for the program have not been actively participating, potentially for multiple years in a row. A suggestion was made to remove non-active participants from the list and recruit others who are willing to hunt.

Tegtmeyer feels the city needs to explore alternative ways of managing deer populations, like addressing their natural habitat or other non-lethal options. Renner noted the city has previously looked into various deer management methods with the Department of Natural Resources.

Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Tegtmeyer

NAYS: Behlke, Kieffer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner

The motion was denied.

Motion: Westemeier moved, Kieffer, to approve the 2025-26 Archery Deer Hunting Program, 25C-0096.

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Westemeier, Wienen, Behlke, Renner

NAYS: Johnson, Tegtmeyer

The motion carried.

25C-0097 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AMENDMENT #1 TO AN AGREEMENT WITH ORIGIN DESIGN FOR THE 2023 LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve amendment #1 to an agreement with Origin Design for the 2023 Lead Service Line Replacement Project, 25C-0097.

Discussion: Tegtmeyer was thankful the city secured the federal funding. The additional amount being discussed was expected and should be reimbursed.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

25C-0098 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE CARTEGRAPH SOFTWARE’S 811 INTEGRATION ADD-ON

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Behlke, to approve the agreement to purchase the Cartegraph Software 811 integration add-on, 25C-0098.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

25C-0099 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A CONTRACT WITH VORTEX INTERNATIONAL/STUCKEY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR INSTALLATION OF THE NEW WATER SLIDE

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Behlke, to the contract with Vortex International/Stuckey Construction Company for the installation of the new water slide in the amount of $359,250, 25C-0099.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

25C-0100 – WARRANTS

Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the Warrants as presented, 25C-0100.

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

25C-0101 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

GHS Scholastic Bowl – Tegtmeyer gave a shout out to the GHS Scholastic bowl on their Masonic Bowl competition this past weekend. They did well and are now participating in the regionals.

Broad Ideas - Opening night was successful. The cast consists of eighteen women from the tri state area.

Grants – Tegtmeyer stated she was relieved the city has received the lead line grant. She added the USDA Grant for the Illinois Easts Program has been stopped. Tegtmeyer will be testifying in Springfield at the hearing.

Johnson wished everyone a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Water Slide/Splash Pad – Wienen stated, while she understands the grant got denied, she would like to continue to explore a splash pad. She recommended putting it outside of the pool so it can be used outside of pool hours.

Wrestling – Westemeier advised two eighth grade students made it to state for wrestling. Funding – Behlke urged staff to keep an eye on funding.

25C-0102 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Federal Funds – Jennifer Schmidt, Interim Administrator, advised staff reached out to the Illinois EPA in January and was advised to continue operations as normal. No further updates have been received. The first payment from the Illinois EPA was received last week, signaling that federal funds are flowing as expected.

25C-0103 – MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Renner commends the great sports programs at Galena High School and wished all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

25C-0104 – ADJOURNMENT

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

Discussion: None.

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

NAYS: None

The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.

https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/Council_Packet_03_FF48DC0EF3655.pdf