Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met March 18.

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: Aldermen

Justin Thomas, Dave Rutledge, Alderwoman Susan Twomey, Aldermen Brian Daw, Bob Wells, Juan Pinedo and Dan Heatherly Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, 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. Absent: City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of the March 4, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Rutledge to approve the March 4, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Thomas, Rutledge, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo and Heatherly NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

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

1. Central Intermediate 6th Grade Students – Reimagining Our Community: A Place-based Project

Central Intermediate 6th Grade Students have been working in conjunction with Monmouth College on a Place-based project for improving the community for young people and their families. The students were divided into four groups who presented the following ideas for community improvement:

Add a movie theatre to the current ShopKo building to benefit people of all ages as currently people have to travel to Galesburg, Peoria or Quad Cities to see movies. The addition of a movie theatre would bring in additional revenue for the City and would provide additional jobs for people.

Address the rough road issues of potholes and cracks. Road repair would cause less damage to people’s cars and tires and make transportation smoother while using less gas to avoid potholes.

Improve the North Park located on East Euclid with the addition of a sand volleyball court, which would offer a different sport other than the basketball hoops that are currently the only sport possibility at that park location.

Introduction of a new park at 512 W. Harlem near the Y.M.C.A. A new park at this location would add lifestyle improvement and be more convenient for the surrounding area residents.

2. Monmouth Resident

Hewey Stegall spoke about the current plan to revitalize the downtown area. He distributed a packet with information about other alternatives, which he believed might be more economically feasible to the current program being considered by the City,

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. MFD February Report – Chief Rexroat

There were 108 calls for service in the month of February

There was a very serious house fire at the beginning of the month with injuries and a fatality. Our firefighters did an excellent job in dealing with a very difficult situation and in quickly controlling the fire

Training was also conducted utilizing the SCBA’s.

As Chief, I attended a training session on responses to underground pipeline emergencies.

Firefighters conducted a presentation about careers in firefighting to students at the Regional Alternative School and hosted two students from M-R High School for the career shadowing event.

Ambulance 46 had a minor mechanical issue that was covered under warranty. Tower 22 is finally back in service.

Promotional process by the Police and Fire Commission is complete.

B. MPD February Report – Chief Switzer

 There were 54 arrests and 1207 dispatch calls in the month of February.

 The department also hosted 3 career shadows for the University of Illinois Extension.

 There were no serious issues with any of the winter snow events.

 Officer Williams returned to service after an extended illness.

 The department hosted a training event on Sexual assault Informed Response.

 As Chief, I was asked to be an assessor for the Illinois Chief’s Association for promotional for the Quincy police officers. I also gave a presentation to Monmouth College students on drug abuse and addiction.

C. Woodard and Curran January Report – Director Jackson

 The department has begun patching potholes now that the weather has moderated.

 Well # 4 has an issue with either the column pipe or the check valves and will have to be pulled.

 I spoke to a Wastewater Operator’s Conference in Springfield in February on the City’s CSO Overflow plan.

 The assessment of this year’s street overlay program has been started. It appears with the rising cost of oil that only about 40 to 50 blocks will be able to be overlaid. IMEG will assist with prioritizing the streets to be overlaid.

D. Approval of Bids for CDBG Southeast Quadrant of City Water Main Project

Director Jackson explained that the City had a bid letting last week for the replacement of an existing cast iron water main down 9th Avenue from South Main Street to South 5th Street and then North to the water tower. It will be a 10 inch water main and will provide a good strong loop for that area of town. The City received six bids with the low bid of $567,593 coming from Laverdiere Construction out of Macomb. IMEG has issued a letter of recommendation to accept Laverdiere’s bid and I am recommending acceptance as well. It was moved by Alderman Wells and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to accept IMEG’s letter of recommendation to approve the bid of $567,593 from Laverdiere Construction for the CDBG Southeast Quadrant of the City Water Main Project. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Thomas and Rutledge NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

VI. ORDINANCES A. 1st Reading

1. 19-006, 2 Hour Parking to Residential Parking Only, 100 Block of West 2nd Ave.

Chief Switzer explained that he received a request through the Clerk’s office from the new property owner of a house in the 100 block behind the Health Department to have the 2 hour parking limit changed as he was concerned that there was no place for a renter of his property to park. After studying the situation, I am recommending changing the 2 hour parking ordinance to a residential parking only from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Rutledge to accept Chief Switzer’s recommendation and approve the above-stated Ordinance 19-006. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Thomas, Rutledge and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none 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 6:35 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/attachments/article/715/March%2018,2019%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf