Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met April 1.

Here is 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 Susan S. Trevor called the roll and those answering Present were: Alderman

Dave Rutledge, Alderwoman Susan Twomey, Aldermen Brian Daw, Bob Wells, Juan Pinedo and Dan Heatherly Absent: Alderman Justin Thomas Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher, City Clerk Susan S. Trevor, City Attorney Marcum Spears, MFD Chief Casey Rexroat, MPD Chief Joe Switzer, IT Director Ken Helms and Building and Zoning Director Joe Clark as well as Jeff Holt of Gatehouse Media.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of the March 18, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Rutledge to approve

the March 18, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Alderman Rutledge, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo and Heatherly NAY: none ABSENT: Thomas MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

A. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries (all inquiries are limited to 3 minutes per City Ordinance)

Mike Sheid from Midwestern Pet Foods Inc. addressed the Council to let them know that he was very appreciative of the great handling by the Monmouth Police Department of a dangerous situation that happened at the plant. He also has followed the Council’s desire to revitalize the downtown area through a partnership with 353 Court LLC and to carry out a resurfacing project for around 40 to 50 streets. He wanted the Council to know that Midwestern Pet Foods wants to support the City in these projects in any way they can. Midwestern Pet Foods has a request to have the City study 6th Avenue in that area as there are some significant issues with the street, the broken concrete and telephone poles that are not secure in the ground. There is a section of 6th Avenue and B Street that comes to a dead end. Midwestern Pet Foods is offering to maintain that section of the street with the City’s approval. In conclusion, Mr. Sheid re-emphasized that Midwestern Pet Foods will support and assist the City in any way that it can to revitalize Monmouth as they are anticipating continued growth and commitment of their company in Monmouth. Mayor Davies thanked Mr. Sheid for his comments and support of the City. City Administrator Steinbrecher said that he would like to schedule a time to meet with Mr. Sheid and discuss possible economic opportunities and partnership with the company.

B. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills (Items on Consent Agenda will not be discussed unless a request is made to remove an item for discussion)

It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Wells to approve the Bills as presented. AYE: Alderman Rutledge, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo and Heatherly NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED.

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Building and Zoning March Report – Director Joe Clark

 Smithfield has finished their procurement building.

 Fareway has finished pouring the building’s interior concrete and is back on schedule.

 Rental Inspections are continuing.

 Letters are being sent to chronic junk and debris offenders and owners of run down houses.

 Proposals are being developed to be made for work to be done on some commercial buildings.

 Midwest Bank,who is now the owner of the Patton Block, has had the elevator inspected and fixed.

B. Community Engagement March Report – IT Director Ken Helms

The Monmouth Police Department is participating in a Career Fair on Wednesday at Carl Sandburg College.

MPD is hosting its’ annual Ken Russell Fishing Derby on May 18th at Citizens Lake from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lt. Bratcher is volunteering with Junior Achievement and is teaching a program to third graders.

The MPD and MFD are participating in a school carnival at Lincoln School on April 26th and will be showing department equipment to the students.

C. Woodard and Curran February Report – Director Andy Jackson

 BNSF railroad crossing at North 6th Street that has been closed for four months is now finished and open.

 Well #4 had to be pulled and it was discovered that 11 pieces of column pipe were in poor condition and will have to be replaced. The well should be back on-line next week.

 IMEG will be in town on Friday to look at streets to determine the priority to be included in this year’s MFT re-surfacing program. Along with the priority list IMEG will submit a preliminary cost estimate.

D. Northeast Quadrant Closure Request by The Crossing Church

The Crossing Campus Minister, Casey Grant, presented a request on behalf of The Crossing Church requesting closure of the Northeast Quadrant of the square on April 12th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in order to hold a Music Night with live music, kids’ carnival games and snacks. It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Daw to approve closing the Northeast Quadrant of the square on April 12th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for a Music Night on the Square. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly and Rutledge NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED.

E. Presentation of 2019-2020 Budget – Administrator Steinbrecher

City Administrator Steinbrecher presented an overview on the 2019-2020 Budget. He said that it is a status-quo budget with no major changes from last year. The total Budget is $19,451,068. With this Budget, the General Fund will begin to repay the Water/Sewer Fund $250,000 for transfers that were needed in past fiscal years to cover past operating deficits in the General Fund. One enhancement to this year’s budget is the new Local Fuel Tax Fund where the 2 cents per gallon local municipal motor fuel tax will be deposited and which will be a restricted fund to be used exclusively for local street improvements. It was moved by Alderwoman Twomey and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to authorize the City Clerk to advertise a Public Hearing to be held at 5:45 p.m. prior to the regularly scheduled Council meeting on April 15th and have the City Attorney draft a Budget Ordinance. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Rutledge and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED.

VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION

A. Per Illinois Statute 5ILCS 120/2 to consider Contract Negotiations and Employee Compensation

1. It was moved to go into Executive Session at 6:30 p.m. by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Rutledge. AYE: Aldermen Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Rutledge, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Daw NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED.

2. It was moved to return to Regular Session at 6:40 p.m. by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Heatherly. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw and Wells NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to be considered.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Rutledge to adjourn the March 18, 2019 meeting at 6:41 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote.

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