Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met July 15.

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, Tony Cook, Alderwoman Susan Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly and Alderwoman Mary Kelly 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, Woodard and Curran Director Andy Jackson, IT Director Ken Helms and Building and Zoning Director Joe Clark.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of the July 1, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderwoman Wells and seconded by Alderwoman Pinedo to approve the July 1, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes. AYE: Alderman Thomas, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly and Alderwoman Kelly PASS NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

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

There were none to consider.

B. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills

It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to approve the payment of the bills as presented. AYE: Alderman Cook, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly and Alderman Thomas NAY: none MOTION CARRIED

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. MFD June Report – Chief Rexroat

The department responded to 121 calls.

The department participated in a number of non-emergency events: Healthy Kids with Relay for Life, Strong Family at Lincoln Homes and Meet Our Heroes at the Library.

Director Clark and I have been working on the code requirements for Fareway Foods and they have activated their sprinkler system, which is being monitored by a security company.

Our annual ladder inspection was just completed with the aerial truck having to be taken to Alexis Fire Equipment for a minor repair.

B. MPD June Report – Chief Switzer

 The monthly statistics are in the Web Packet.

 The department provided active shooting training for the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.

 The department received CPR training equipment and will begin training for officers, dispatchers in the near future. Training will also be offered to other agencies as well.

 Along with the West Central Drug Taskforce, MPD opened three methamphetamine cases in Monmouth.

 Seatbelt violations and usage of cell phone while driving were focused on during the month of June and the first part of July by patrols funded through a grant.

 Officer Marlon Williams participated in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Walk.

 An officer attended Critical Incident Mental Health Training.

 Another officer attended a Rescue Task Force training session.

 One squad car was taken to Yemm Ford to be repaired as a result of a recall notice

C. 2019 MFT Street Project Bid Award – Director Jackson

Director Jackson explained that the bid opening was held this morning with Brandt Construction coming in with the low bid of $955,187.50, which was 38% over the engineer’s cost projection of $650,000. It was unexpected. IMEG contacted Brandt Construction to discuss the possibility of paring down the project and Brandt was agreeable to do so. It would not be prudent to totally deplete our MFT fund of $730,000 and the Local Fuel tax fund of $106,000; therefore, it is our intent to keep our original $650,000 as our expenditure for this year’s MFT project. The City’s best course of action will be to reduce the number of streets included in this year’s project. We will bring the revised bid amount for consideration at the August 5th meeting.

D. Preliminary Engineering Report on USDA Downtown Sewer Project – Jennifer Anders W&C Engineer

This is a new project that Woodard and Curran is preparing a preliminary engineering report to assist the City in seeking funds through the USDA for help with their new water-sewer project. Monmouth can qualify for up to a 40% grant based on their population and yearly household income. It is a long drawn out project with it being nearly a year before it could begin. The first step is preparing a preliminary engineering report. Director Jackson explained that the cost is included in the City’s capital improvement plan and the asset will long outlive the cost of a USDA loan. It was moved by Alderman Wells and seconded by Alderman Cook to approve having Woodard and Curran prepare a preliminary engineering report to submit to USDA as part of the process in securing a grant for the Downtown Sewer Project.

AYE: Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas and Cook NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

E. Design Change on Electrical Equipment at Smithfield Pre-Treatment Plant – Jennifer Ander W & C Engineer

This is a design change to the electrical equipment that is part of the already approved upgrade of the Smithfield Pre-Treatment Plant. Smithfield is funding all of this project. This amendment has to do with the flare system, which is creating bio-gas. The City had been trying to develop a Bio-Gas Project that would include the flare system, but that is just not financially feasible at this point. The bio-gas produced is extremely corrosive and has caused numerous replacements of electrical and control equipment; therefore, this amendment provides for moving the electrical equipment to a new, less corrosive environment area. It was moved by Alderwoman Twomey and seconded by Alderman Daw to approve the amendment for the design change on Electrical Equipment at Smithfield Pre-Treatment Plant. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

F. Cell Tower SBA Lease Buyout

IT Director Helms explained that the City owns a number of different locations that they lease to cell companies. Three or four years ago the City allowed SBA Communications to construct a cell tower located near Well #4 in the South part of town and leased the ground to them for a monthly payment. After lengthy negotiations with SBA, the City agreed to a buyout option of a one-time lump sum payment of $291,000 and would no longer lease the land for a monthly payment. This money can be used for much needed capital improvement projects. The Administration is recommending approval of the buyout. AYE: Aldermen Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Daw. NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

VI. ORDINANCES

A. 1ST Reading

1. 19-018, Establishing the West 11th Avenue/U.S. Highways 34/67 Business District and approving Its Accompanying Business District Plan 

19-019, Imposing Sales Tax in the Love’s Business District

19-021, Annexation Petition for Love’s Truck Stop

It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Cook to approve collectively the above-stated Ordinances 19-018, 19-019 and 19-021. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw and Wells. NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

2. 19-020, Amending the Composition of the MPD

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that the in order to create personnel movement for better staffing within the police department that the administration is asking to create the position of captain, eliminate two of the Lieutenant positions and amend the number of officers to no more than 13. It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Daw to approve Ordinance 19-020 to amend the composition of the MPD. AYE: Alderman Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Wells and Pinedo NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

B. 2nd Reading

1. 19-017, Amending Chapter 115, Class IV Number of Liquor Licenses

Administrator Steinbrecher reviewed the request by Esmeralda Aliu to make available another Class IV Liquor License for her new store, Leo’s Convenience Store located in the old Hardee’s building on North Main Street. Administrator Steinbrecher has reviewed and approved the business plan for the store and therefore the administration is recommending approval of the above-stated request. It was moved by Alderman Wells and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve adding another Class IV Liquor License. AYE: Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Daw, Wells and Pinedo NAY: Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Heatherly AYE VOTE TO BREAK TIE: Mayor Davies MOTION CARRIED.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to consider.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Wells to adjourn the July 15, 2019 meeting at 6:38 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote.

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