NW Illinois News

City of East Dubuque City Council met April 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

    1.    25-0401    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.    25-0402    Staff Reports

    a.    City Manager Report

Talking to the architects about the Emergency Services Building we might be able to save some resources and move the project along. By doing the Tuckpointing ahead of general contracting bid. Hope to have in the next week of two a plan to get estimates for Tuckpointing and then go ahead with that. This would be cutting the window and doors to the original design. So, the outside would be ready for window and doors as soon as the construction was ready to go. 

    b.    Mayor Report

The annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Lions Club is April 19th, noon to two pm at Dunleith Park.

East Dubuque City Wide Garage Sales May 7-10. Fee is $5 to get address on map which can get information off our website.

Community Day Clean Up is May 10 from 7am till noon at the City Garage.

    c.    Alderperson Report

    i.    Belken

    ii.    Burgmeier

    iii.    Degenhardt

    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

Was awarded a $26,000 grant from the Fire Marshals. We got the grant because we are up to date on our state reports. This actually was someone else’s grant but they did not have their state reports up to date.

    3.    25-0403    Speakers from the Floor

Ashley Heilman – 2025 President of the Northwest Alliance of Realtors. Asked to engage on the Vacant Property Ordinance listed on tonight’s agenda. Wants to ask the council to hold off on passing this ordinance until they have looked at it and given their input. They had found a number of things that they had questions on but did not have time to address with the City Manager.

Don Slaats – Just wanted to know why he was not on the agenda for the Façade Improvement. Will have you put on another meeting coming up on the next agenda.

Maggie Fleming – Wanting to let the council know about the rezoning that they will vote against it. She hopes that it will stay a residential and not commercial. She also hopes that Alderperson Degenhardt would abstain from the vote as to relation. Said she had a petition but did not hand it to the council.

Dawn Stelpflug – We have more people investing in housing down in the flats. So, against the rezoning of the property on Desoto.

    4.    25-0404    Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 03/17/25, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 03/17/25, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderperson Degenhardt    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried

NEW BUSINESS:

    5.    25-0405    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Ordinance Authorizing the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois to Borrow Funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This is the project on Montgomery and Hiawatha the water portion of it. These are the streets that are responsible for virtually all of our water main breaks. Trying to take care of those with a low interest loan program.

Motion by Alderperson Meier to Approve An Ordinance Authorizing the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois to Borrow Funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program second by Alderperson Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried

    6.    25-0406    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Ordinance Authorizing the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois to Borrow Funds from the Water Pollution Control Loan Program in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This includes the lift station for Hiawatha and Family Beer. Which also includes the Indian Hills project. We are pursuing the loan only if we go over the grant money amount. This will give us the options to cover any of the pre-work that has been done.

Indian Hills project we will not borrow this money unless we need it.

Why are we lumping all these projects together instead of pulling for each individual. These are coming to us all together from the same loan source. From an administrative perspective it is less expensive through one resolutions then three.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve An Ordinance Authorizing the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois to Borrow Funds from the Water Pollution Control Loan Program second by Alderperson Degenhardt    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried

    7.    25-0407    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Hiawatha & Mongomery Loan Application Contract with CFPS, Inc in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Robey to Approve Hiawatha & Mongomery Loan Application Contract with CFPS, Inc second by Alderperson Meier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried

    8.    25-0408    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve CFPS Indian Hills Loan Application Invoice #2 Final in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve CFPS Indian Hills Loan Application Invoice #2 Final second by Alderperson Robey    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried

    9.    25-0409    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve CFPS Lift Station Loan Application Invoice #1 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve CFPS Lift Station Loan Application Invoice #1  second by Alderperson Robey    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried

    10.    25-0410    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Illinois Route 35 Water Main Extension and Authorization to Proceed with the Bidding Process in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

The bidding dates on the second page. This is designed and ready to go. We are contractually obligated to make every effort to complete the project by the end of June. This schedule is very aggressive and this will keep us on pace with that.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Illinois Route 35 Water Main Extension and Authorization to Proceed with the Bidding Process second by Alderperson Meier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried

    11.    25-0411    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Rezoning Application for Clayton Degenhardt at 496 Desoto Ave in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz would like to thank the council members for attending the zoning meeting. This way everyone can make a informed decision.

Just want to say these people are investing in East Dubuque.

It should stay residential. Why would you want to pop up a commercial property in the middle of a residential area.

There was appreciation for Clayton buying and Dean to want to build a new commercial building but does not think this is the right spot for it. Think should listen to what the community wants for that area.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Rezoning Application for Clayton Degenhardt at 496 Desoto Ave second by Alderperson Meier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier and Alderperson Meier    Motion carried    Nays – Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Robey    Abstain – Alderperson Degenhardt

    12.    25-0412    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Amendment to Ordinance Games of Chance: Raffles in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

All the proceeds for these go to charity since they go to charity we often waive the fee. Seemed to have one policy for everyone so this is taking the fee away.

If we could take out the 3-5-4 lines 1-4 to delete and keep the first part of A. Different raffles are different the different things going on about how much they can top out at. With gaming machines in town do we really need this.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve An Amendment to Ordinance Games of Chance: Raffles second by Alderperson Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried

    13.    25-0413    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Application for Game of Chance with R Place for the East Dubuque Fire Department in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve Application for Game of Chance with R Place for the East Dubuque Fire Department second by Alderperson Meier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried

    14.    25-0414    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Ordinance for the Registration of Vacant Buildings in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Heard from the realtor’s association that they have some issues with the ordinance. We can take up any changes to ordinances down the road. Can’t argue that this is not a significant improvement on the current code we have. Which is unenforceable and there has been a lot of comment here. We need to get a handle on the buildings that are vacant, eye sore and public health for safety hazard. We can always look at things in the future and make improvements. Not to take the close call but to take the ones that are very obvious situations and address them. We have an appeal also exemption process here. The goal of this is it is a registration and have a plan as to what is happening with the building. This is to revitalize the city.

The enforcer is the City Manager. This covers houses also.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve An Ordinance for the Registration of Vacant Buildings second by Alderperson Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried

    15.    25-0415    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Getting Estimates for Street Crack Filling and Sealing in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Prolongs the health of a street. Had another product that could be placed. Will bring these back to the council for approval.

Now is this going to be published. We have a list of contractors that we reach out to and then if you have anyone please let us know. This is a project city wide. These are not a city street but block by block. It will be account of what money is available to do this.

Motion by Alderperson Meier to Approve Getting Estimates for Street Crack Filling and Sealing second by Alderperson Degenhardt    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier    Motion carried    Nays – Alderperson Robey

    16.    25-0416    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Getting Estimates for Street Paving in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Robey to Table Getting Estimates for Street Paving second by Alderperson Belken    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried

    17.    25-0417    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Getting Estimates for Parking Lot Paving in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

This is parking lots on both ends of Sinsinawa. One is the triangle lot which is gravel back along the tracks at 1st St and Wall. The gravel is built up to the point water backs up into basements. The sewer is relatively close to the surface and we can’t just take down the gravel. This property is rented from the railroad and we are trying to have a conversation with them but have not gotten in touch with the person.

The second one is east of the 3rd St. ditch. This property is owned by DOT that we rent from them. Have had a conversation with them and they are ok with us paving it. If they would ever build a bridge they might need the property. Every indication is that there will not be a bridge going on that path. Would be an additional 130 parking spaces for the downtown area. Thinks this is a good step forward.

We are going to pave other people’s property. We are paving property that we rent. That we do not own. Correct. This is paving for the city’s use.

There was a short statement from Alderperson Robey from phone calls that she made herself.

The mayor was asked if he was for this and he is.

City Manager Seitz did talk with the DOT and has been trying everything to get in touch with the railroad.

We are only looking to get estimates.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Getting Estimates for Parking Lot Paving second by Alderperson Degenhardt    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt and Alderperson Meier    Motion carried    Nays – Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Robey

    18.    25-0418    Executive Session: 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Personnel Matters / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

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

    19.    25-0419    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

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Amendments Made to the Contract of City Manager Seitz which Include Extending his Contract Through April 30, 2027 second by Alderperson Meier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier    Motion carried    Nays – Alderperson Robey

    20.    25-0420    Adjourn

End Time: 7:56 pm

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

https://www.cityofeastdubuque.com/agenda/minutes/april-7-2025-minutes