City of Monmouth City Council met Nov. 3
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Rod Davies called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 East Broadway at 6:00 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
II. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Melissa Teel called the roll and those answering Present were: Aldermen Roger Teel, Brad Bone, Scott Weber, Brian Daw, Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo and John VanVleet Absent: Alderman Kevin Ferry Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Clerk Melissa Teel, City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher, City Attorney Marcum Spears, Communications Director Ken Helms, MFD Chief Casey Rexroat, MPD Chief Joe Switzer, Public Works Director Brayden Bledsoe and Building and Zoning Director Joe Clark
III. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A. Approval of the October 20, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes as presented
It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the minutes. AYE: Alderman Teel, Bone, Weber, Conard, Pinedo and VanVleet
NAY: None PASS: Aldermen Daw
MOTION CARRIED.
IV. PRESENTATIONS
A. Jason Robbins was present to inquire about information on City owned properties. Jason stated that he grew up in Monmouth and was also an investor in Monmouth. Jason stated that he had copies of the list of City owned properties and a copy of what a motion might look like to sell City owned properties. He stated that he was present to ask the City to consider setting a standard operating procedure for how the City owned properties would be sold in the future. He stated that the procedure would be nice so that everyone knows what is up for sale whether it is an empty lot or a building that isn’t utilized anymore. Jason also stated that it would give everyone an equal opportunity to bid on the available properties. Jason asks if there are any questions and none were asked. He stated that he would leave the copies of his handouts on the table and City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher requested that he leave them with the City Clerk Melissa Teel.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of the Bills
It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Teel to approve the bills as presented. AYE: Aldermen Bone, Weber, Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, and Teel.
MOTION CARRIED.
VI. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
A. Zoning Director Joe Clark presented the October monthly zoning report. The zoning department continued to issue permits, notices for junk and debris, mowing, rental inspections, unsafe structures and followed up on all open projects. The completed projects included: The Big River Resources hoop storage building has been completed. Open projects included: OSF Holy Family Project 2503-renovation for Rehab Room and Sleep Study Lab is almost complete and will likely have a final inspection this week, Monmouth College- 815 East Broadway house renovation and they have moved to 903 E Broadway as well for additional student housing, and the former Banker’s Life building on West 1st Ave. Window installation is nearing completion, framing has started on the second floor, reconfiguration of the first-floor businesses, and some reconfiguration with power that could be run underground instead of overhead. The Strong Communities Program, which is the SCP grant, had $212,000 awarded and will be closed out as a successful round 2 with only $839 remaining.
B. Public Works Director Brayden Bledsoe presented the September monthly report for Woodard and Curran. He stated that the Lead Service Line Replacement Phase I is nearing completion. Advanced Plumbing is working on restoration of disturbed areas. More information on Phase II and Phase III is coming up. Water Department continued to replace numerous water meters throughout town and has been working on the curb stops. The wastewater department has been working on extensive maintenance on the pretreatment facility. The street department has begun picking up leaves throughout town and are getting all their equipment ready for winter. The public works department completed training on confined spaces.
C. Director of Public Works Brayden Bledsoe introduced Don Taul of Woodard and Curran to present the two Engineering agreements for Phase II and Phase III of the LSLR project. Director Bledsoe explained that Don Taul came up from Charleston to provide some information on those phases. Mr. Taul explained that the first agreement is for Illinois EPA SRF Lead Service Line Replacement Program. He explained that as we are finishing up the phase from last year, this year the City of Monmouth was awarded $3,027,000 and that this one has a small loan associated it. He explained that the City could choose not to take the loan portion of it but it is free money at zero interest over forty years which computes to about $14,000 a year. He also explained that the fee for Woodard and Curran engineering services for this phase is $250,000. Mr. Taul explained that there are a lot of unknowns in the City which means they have to pothole to see what some of the service lines are. He also explained that in the downtown area there is a lot of lead but as you get further away there should be less. He explained that the second agreement is also lead service line, but it is funded through the Sorenson Congressional Grant. He explained that the grant is for $959,752 and unfortunately with the government shutdown, that could delay it. He explained that they are hoping to get everything together so that when the government opens back up, they are ready to submit it for review. The cost for services of Woodard and Curran is $90,000. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Teel to approve both agreements. AYE: Aldermen Weber, Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Teel and Bone. NAY: None MOTION CARRIED.
D. Administrator Steinbrecher explained that Myers Auto Works at 501 South Main street applied under the traditional TIF program for eligible projects which include acquisition, renovation, rehabilitation of the existing building and refurbishing of the existing parking lot. The total costs are estimated at $180,370. It does not include any other properties and it is only future tax dollars raising the developer’s property EAV that will be captured by the City through the TIF district and that will be used to reimburse the business owner. He explained that this is very similar to the other redevelopment agreements we have done in the past, and he would recommend Council’s support on this agreement as well. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the redevelopment agreement. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Teel, Bone, and Weber. NAY: None MOTION CARRIED.
E. Administrator Steinbrecher explained that the tentative agreement that was reviewed with Council a couple of weeks ago had been ratified by the Union and is a 3 year contract. It includes salary increases of 4%, 4%, and 5%. There a number of health insurance proposals that have been accepted including higher participation in the premium, limiting the City’s contribution to an employee’s health savings account and increasing the deductible from $2,800 to $3,200 for single plan; from $5,600 to $6,400 for family plans. It was moved by Alderman Bone and seconded by Alderman Teel to approve the contract with the FOP. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Teel, Bone, Weber, and Daw. NAY: None MOTION CARRIED.
VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. It was moved by Alderman Pinedo and seconded by Alderman Bone to go into executive session at 6:17 p.m.
AYE: Alderman Pinedo, VanVleet, Teel, Bone, Weber, Daw and Conard. NAY: None
MOTION CARRIED.
XI. REGULAR SESSION
A. It was moved by Alderman Teel and seconded by Alderman Conard to return to regular session at 6:23 p.m.
AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Teel, Bone, Weber, Daw, Conard and Pinedo NAY: None
MOTION CARRIED.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
A. Alderman Daw moved to adjourn the November 3rd meeting at 6:24 p.m. and Alderman Teel seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Alderman Ferry who was absent.
https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7191/f/agendas/november_3_2025_council_meeting_minutes.pdf
