NW Illinois News

City of East Dubuque City Council met March 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

1.    25-0317    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.    25-0318    Staff Reports

    a.    City Manager Report

Main thing is we are working on the budget. The process is working with the management team and meeting with them tomorrow. Projected where we should be at the end of this fiscal year and getting input from the managers. Will be working on the budget for the coming year. Thanks to the management team they have been really watching the budget despite the fact we had a number of things that were surprises for us this year. We should be able to finish the budget ahead of where we thought going to be from last year. Which means we will accomplish or come close to accomplishing coming out of the deficit. With the next budget we will be proposing to eliminate all of the debt for things that depreciate quickly like vehicles and City Hall. The goal he has in mind, with all those things paid off we should be able to pay most of the bond for the emergency services building from the revenue we save each month for not having to pay on those loans. Looking to propose to cap the amount of money from the cannabis income and place rest into a debt reduction fund. Then use this for future vehicles that have depreciated.

With being fully staffed in the police department we are increasing the enforcement of non-safety issues that we were not able to pursue before we are looking into that now. The new officers have taken a responsible course in pursuing things that are in regard to public safety. Enforcement is being stepped up in East Dubuque on DWI’s and things like that. 

One of our new officers had a lifesaving action last week. Will bring more information to you on that. We are pleased and proud of our department.

We had our flood meeting in preparation for flood season this year. Just before this meeting. Making sure our plan is up to date. I have made a lot of gains from last year. We have replaced a breaking down pump and plans in place to improve things regularly as we move ahead.

Tomorrow the water tower property north of the water tower should show up in the paper. That will be officially up for sale. Will be able to take offers on that. Offers will be taken, and the council reserves the right to make their decisions about the price, use and commitment to timely use. 

    b.    Mayor Report 

    c.    Alderperson Report

    i.    Belken

    ii.    Burgmeier

    iii.    Degenhardt

Went up the City Managers get together and was a nice time there. 

    iv.    Fluhr

    v.    Meier

    vi.    Robey

    d.    City Attorney, Susan Hess

    e.    Police Chief, Luke Kovacic

    f.    Public Works Director, Tony VanOstrand

    g.    Fire Chief, Joe Heim

I want to let the council know that the Fire Department registered over 50% of their members in the national Fire Fighters registry for cancer. They are seeing what cancers are affecting Fire Fighters throughout their career. They were named Gold Helmet department by getting 50% registered. Which makes them the second in Illinois with two in Iowa and one in Wisconsin. 

3.    25-0319    Speakers from the Floor

No Speakers. 

4.    25-0320    Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 03/03/25, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 03/03/25, 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.    25-0321    Presentation from Michael Willis with Jo Daviess County Emergency Manager in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Michael Willis is the new Jo Daviess County Emergency Manager since November 2024. I have a master’s in emergency management. Has been in the Fire service for 12 years and a Paramedic in Elizabeth going on 4 years. 

Going around to area towns to let everyone know what Emergency Management is. Day to day there is a lot of federal paperwork, updating emergency operations plan for the county and hazard mitigation update. Does compliance with any of the programs the county is involved with? Trying to establish or maintain relationships with the government. Maintain the Code Red system which is the reverse 911 system. In the event of disaster, we are able to push out messages quickly. 

In a disaster he is able to act as the incident commander on any given scene. The Fire Chiefs know what is happening and he is there to help if they need him. He also acts as liaison for FEMA, IEMA and any other group that helps with disaster. 

He then gave us information on FEMA. How can we prepare by helping to update our mitigation plan. Know what your city needs so come prepared. Know your insurance policy also for your community.

No action required.

6.    25-0322    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve American Legion Request for Memorial Day Parade to Take Place on Monday May 26, 2025 at 9:30 am Line Up on Wall Street Starts at 9 am in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve American Legion Request for Memorial Day Parade to Take Place on Monday May 26, 2025 at 9:30 am Line Up on Wall Street Starts at 9 am second by Alderperson Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Fluhr 

7.    25-0323    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve American Legion Request to Sell Poppies on Friday May 23, 2025 at Fidelity Bank, Vans Liquor Store and Family Beer from 2-6 pm and Saturday May 24, 2025 at Vans Liquor Store and Family Beer from 8 am-12 pm in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve American Legion Request to Sell Poppies on Friday May 23, 2025 at Fidelity Bank, Vans Liquor Store and Family Beer from 2-6 pm and Saturday May 24, 2025 at Vans Liquor Store and Family Beer from 8 am-12 pm second by Alderperson Meier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Fluhr

8.    25-0324    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Amendment to Ordinance for Late Fees to Add Forfeiture Provisions for Evidence Seized in the Prosecution of Code Violations in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

We need this ordinance for when we collect a lot of evidence that is the kind of thing that people will come back to ask for it back. Relating to drug paraphernalia and things like that. They go or do not go through the process with their ticket, but we are left with the evidence. This is giving 30 days until the evidence can be destroyed. 

Motion by Alderperson Meier to Approve An Amendment to Ordinance for Late Fees to Add Forfeiture Provisions for Evidence Seized in the Prosecution of Code Violations second by Alderperson Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Fluhr

9.    25-0325    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Ordinance of the City of East Dubuque, 

Jo Daviess County, Illinois to Amend Prior Ordinance No. 24-0310 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This is to be able to get the additional costs to the project into the loan. Raised the amount that we can borrow. 

Motion by Alderperson Meier to Approve An Ordinance of the City of East Dubuque, 

Jo Daviess County, Illinois to Amend Prior Ordinance No. 24-0310 second by Alderperson Belken    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Fluhr

10.    25-0326    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Amendment No. 2 to Agreement for Professional Services for Oxford Street Reconstruction 2023 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Raising it because the cost went up. This is for the cost of redoing the project plan and breaking things out.

What kind of timeline do we have for this project? Right now, waiting for EPA to approve the bidding procedure and contractor. It may start a little bit later since the contractor will need to finish another project after school lets out for the year. So will be later in the summer. Had asked Jill to go after the extra cash which then led to a delay with us, not the contractor. 

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve Amendment No. 2 to Agreement for Professional Services for Oxford Street Reconstruction 2023 second by Alderperson Belken    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Fluhr

11.    25-0327    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve a Liquor License for PS-LBJ, LLC dba Timmerman’s Supper Club in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Patty is in the process of purchasing Timmerman’s with her son Riley and a third business partner. Currently she owns Louisburg Supper Club in Cuba City which she bought in 2019. The plan on keeping both businesses was their goal to have a second location. Then the opportunity with Timmerman’s came about and they jumped on it. 

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve a Liquor License for PS-LBJ, LLC dba Timmerman’s Supper Club second by Alderperson Meier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Fluhr

12.    25-0328    Executive Session: 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Personnel Matters / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

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

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

13.    25-0329    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 required.

14.    25-0330    Adjourn

End Time: 6:58 pm

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Adjourn second by Alderperson Burgmeier    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/march-17-2025-minutes