NW Illinois News

City of East Dubuque City Council met May 5.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

1. 25-0501 Call to Order

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. 25-0502 Official Oath for Newly Elected Officials in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Attorney Hess

Swearing in of new council. They are Justin Taylor Ward I, Tim Fluhr Ward II and Jeff Burgmeier Ward III.

No action required.

3. 25-0503 Recognition of Council Members in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois/

Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Recognized Delbert Belken for his years of service to Ward I.

No action required.

4. 25-0504 Staff Reports

a. City Manager Report

Illinois Department of Revenue has confirmed the annexation of the Iron Paw Annexation which contains the NuEra dispensary. They have informed us that we will be receiving their tax revenue going back to their opening back in December.

Had a meeting with Canadian National Railroad at the site of 1" and Wall St. Any issue they had with our plan worked with the engineer that they sent out. They are planning of giving us a new lease that will allow us to pave the parking lot. Will hopefully have something coming to the council before to long. Also want to thank Alderperson Robey for getting this meeting together.

The 2017 Stormwater study is completed and with WHKS for working on a plan to repair and increase the capacity of the 3rd St ditch. The increase the capacity of the ditch will allow us to reverse the flow of stormwater under Wall St, combine the culvers under 2nd St and possible to reverse the direction of the water flow from 4th and 5th St areas in the Flats.

Community Cleanup Volunteers from NuEra and River Bluff Dispensaries have stepped up and offered to help East Dubuque residents. If you would like to have some help with this then please reach out to them and they will get something set up.

Recap of the last four weeks. Want to thank the council on the budget prep process. Reaffirm the city is in the black which is the first time in a number of years and intend to stay here. The crisis we had about two years ago is over. We have cash invested and paying things with cash that had been barrowed. In doing all this we have cut property taxes by 5%.

b. Mayor Report

Asked to please slow things down at the council. Meaning slow things down when we are going through the agenda items. Please allow time to questions and discussions rather than moving for a motion right away.

c. Alderperson Report

i. Burgmeier

ii. Degenhardt

Thanked Delbert Belken for his time on the council and helping move things forward.

iii. Fluhr

iv. Meier

v. Robey

Thank you for working on the NuEra light problem for the next-door neighbor. The neighbor says thank you for doing that for him.

vi. Taylor

d. City Attorney, Susan Hess

e. Police Chief, Luke Kovacic

£. Public Works Director, Tony VanOstrand

g. Fire Chief, Joe Heim

Was notified two weeks ago from Canadian National that they are receiving a $10,000 grant. This is for upgrading their radio systems.

The fire department does a phenomenal job of finding grants to improve their service to the community.

5. 25-0505 Speakers from the Floor

Jarl Potter from NuEra dispensary wanted to let the council know that if there was any kind of charity, need help or could be a benefit just feel free to reach out. They are about helping pets, vets and kids. They want to give back to the community as much as possible.

6. 25-0506 Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 04/21/25, 04/28/25, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)

Motion by Alderperson Meier to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 04/21/25, 04/28/25, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderperson Burgmeier ROLL CALL: Ayes -- Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier, Alderperson Robey and Alderperson Taylor Motion carried

NEW BUSINESS:

7. 25-0507 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve a Liquor License for MSHYDESLLC dba Ms Hydes in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Paula Bodish came up to introduce herself as owner of Ms Hydes. Just purchased the building at 2nd St. looking to change things and a little remodeling.

Asked what building. 2nd St Slots.

Are you still going to have the games. Yes, will still have games.

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve a Liquor License for MSHYDESLLC dba Ms Hydes second by Alderperson Fluhr ROLL CALL: Ayes - Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier, Alderperson Robey and Alderperson Taylor Motion carried

8. 25-0508 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Payment of Façade Improvement Award to Slaats Auto Repair in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Been through the approval of this. This is just approving the expenditure or half the cost of the signage. That cost is $1,650.73.

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve Payment of Façade Improvement Award to Slaats Auto Repair second by Alderperson Fluhr ROLL CALL: Ayes - Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier, Alderperson Robey and Alderperson Taylor Motion carried

9.25-0509 Discussion and Possible Action to Accept the Resignation of Justin Taylor from the East Dubuque Zoning Board in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve the Resignation of Justin Taylor from the East Dubuque Zoning Board second by Alderperson Degenhardt ROLL CALL: Ayes -- Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey Motion carried Abstain - Alderperson Taylor

10. 25-0510 Discussion and Possible Action to Receive Estimates for Tuckpointing and Masonry Work/Restoration at 193 Sinsinawa Avenue and Confirm City Manager's Recommendation for Award of Same in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

The cover memo give you the information on the estimates. Everyone received the information from the architects also did walk throughs. There were five companies that took out information but three responded with estimates with amounts on memo. Recommend R&W Restoration for the job as they are the lowest estimate.

Like Jacksons is R&W willing to do the painting. Yes, that was the reason went back and confirmed with R&W about certain things that was not clear. Was sent email with replies back. The goal is to get this project done by the end of July so that they will be out of the way of inside work.

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve Estimates for Tuckpointing and Masonry Work/Restoration at 193 Sinsinawa Avenue and Confirm City Manager's Recommendation for Award of Same second by Alderperson Robey ROLL CALL: Ayes - Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier, Alderperson Robey and Alderperson Taylor Motion carried

11. 25-0511 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Ordinance to Allow Hunting with Archery in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

We had a request but currently hunting is not allowed within city limits. Which makes sense in the city but we do have a few agricultural plots that not to have at least archery. Drafted this ordinance that if you have a piece of land over 20 acres and hunting 100 yards away from any building. This is only for bow or cross bow with state statutes you are allowed to hunt on those properties. There is an amendment of adding target in addition to deer.

Of course you have to have a state valid ID. Are we going to have guidelines on ages? Or are we allowing twenty-one or older. Think that they are far enough out that carrying a bow is not going to be an issue. On these parcels it is similar to hunting in the country.

Are we going to have a city issued permit. No. So that people realize people are required to register who is on their property. Anyone who hunts an animal has to conform to the hunting laws.

Alderperson Robey would like to suggest that we recommend is hunting from a deer stand. So that it is a downward trajectory. Might get complicated cause you might get a second shot. Not sure how to regulate that. By doing this you are making it harder for a person to get into a stand that cannot.

Motion by Alderperson Meier to Approve Amendment to Ordinance to Allow Hunting with Archery second by Alderperson Degenhardt ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier, Alderperson Robey and Alderperson Taylor Motion carried

Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve An Ordinance to Allow Hunting with Archery second by Alderperson Burgmeier ROLL CALL: Ayes - Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier, Alderperson Robey and Alderperson Taylor Motion carried

12. 25-0512 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve A Resolution for the City of East Dubuque to Donate Public Funds for the Purchase of 4 Park Benches for Public Use in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Aware of the open/public area down between Bridge City and Culbie's. The developer made the additional space into an open area for people in the downtown area. It is not an area to generate revenue. They are offering to have it open for public use. City Manager is recommending up to $5,000 for the purchase of benches.

So these are going to be put on private property and not public property. Correct they will install them.

Motion by Alderperson Burgmeier to Approve A Resolution for the City of East Dubuque to Donate Public Funds for the Purchase of 4 Park Benches for Public Use second by Alderperson Degenhardt ROLL CALL: Ayes --- Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Taylor Motion carried Nays -- Alderperson Robey

13. 25-0513 Discussion of Taxpayer Impact of FOIA Requests in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz

Wanted to bring up because this came up this week and there is a history with these things. Want to be clear as we follow the law, we are transparent, we will provide any public record to anyone who request a public record. In this case City Manager spent 6.5 hours with additional hours during the time period trying to decipher what was being asked for. Began by reaching out to the individual and seeing if they could have a conversation by finding out what they are really looking for. They answered no and will have to work by email. Spent a lot of time trying to figure out what was being asked. Brough this up and say we are not going to respond to FOIA requests but that we need to know what is being asked. When we get ones that are clear and concise we were able to meet it overnight.

Do we charge for FOIA requests. You can charge at a certain point. This is very limited which is the first certain amount of time you cannot charge as is the same for copies. If asked for electronically has to be provided electronically. Not like the city is going to recoup the cost have in this project.

Alderperson Robey asked if this was all one FOIA. Her reply was not even she is that bad. No action required.

14. 25-0514 Adjourn

End Time: 6:43 pm

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

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