Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Nov. 4.

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 Twomey, Aldermen Robert Wells, Juan Pinedo, Dan Heatherly and Alderwoman Mary Kelly Absent: Alderman Daw 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 October 21, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Cook and seconded by Alderwoman Kelly to approve the October 21, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes. AYE: Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly and Alderwoman Kelly PASS: Alderwoman Twomey ABSENT: Alderman Daw NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

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

Ronald Hollis, 333 S. 8th Street, addressed the Council concerning his frustration with the lack of action with regards to the complaints he has lodged over the last twelve weeks regarding the weeds, dead trees, and brush on the property behind his residence. Director Clark said he has been working with the owners and it takes time to resolve the issues involved. He said that he would speak with the owners again to try to speed up the removal of the excessive brush and weeds.

B. Veteran’s Day Proclamation

Mayor Davies read a proclamation recognizing Veterans Day, November 11th, as a day to honor the contribution and sacrifices made by those service members who have fought and died in defense of our country and those who continue to serve along with the support and sacrifices of their family members. Alderman Dan Heatherly accepted the Proclamation on behalf of the Veterans.

C. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Building and Zoning October Report – Director Clark

✓ Work continues on ordinance violations and building permits

✓ The Parkins Trucking facility has completed all their electrical work.

✓ The Y.M.C.A. pool bathhouse exterior walls are completed and the water-sewer has been installed.

✓ The O.S.F. sterile processing room is almost completed.

✓ Midwest Pet Food forms are being set for the new cold storage area.

✓ The roof is almost complete on the 226 South Main Street building that the City has partnered with Midwest Bank to repair.

B. Woodard and Curran September Report – Director Jackson

➢ A very successful 2019 MFT street overlay program was finished on October 15th with $677,000 from the MFT fund and $102,000 from the local gas tax fund.

➢ The mud jacking was completed in the 200 block of East Broadway.

➢ The City is receiving around $14,000 more per month from the higher gas tax implemented by the State. This increased amount should allow the City to increase the number of streets that can be included in the annual MFT overlay program.

➢ The seasonal mowers finished the season on October 24th.

➢ The annual leaf pick-up started today and will continue as long as necessary.

➢ The LTCP Phase 2 bid opening will be this Wednesday, November 6th here at City Hall at 1:00 p.m.

➢ The construction permit for the North WWTP was received today.

C. MACC Christmas on the Square Request – Executive Director Amy Patterson

The Monmouth Are Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Amy Patterson explained the Christmas on the Square event to be held on December 6 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. is looking to expand the area involved in the event. All the merchants have been contacted and are in agreement with the expansion. There will be carriage rides on blocked off streets, walking carolers and food vendors. The Chamber will coordinate with the Public Works Department to place the barricades at proper intersections. There will be no liquor involved this year. Insurance liability is on file in the Clerk’s office. It was moved by Alderman Wells and seconded by Alderman Cook to approve the MACC’s request for an expanded area for the Christmas on the Square event. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas and Cook NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Daw MOTION CARRIED.

D. 353 Downtown Report Discussion – Administrator Steinbrecher

Administrator Steinbrecher explained to the Council that the 353 LLC group has asked for a commitment from the City in the form of a resolution for the three main focuses of their downtown report. The commitment to the three main focuses would be as follows:

1) Buildings – The City commits to spending time, effort and money to preserve and stabilize the downtown buildings that need to be addressed.

2) Businesses – The City commits to continue to nurture entrepreneurial efforts and especially those of immigrants.

3) Branding – The City will continue to work with businesses to develop a better understanding of what they offer to the community as well as working with the Chamber in event planning.

Administrator Steinbrecher asked for a motion to have a Resolution of Support for the 353 Downtown Report placed on the agenda of the next Council meeting.

Mayor Davies also commented that the monthly meetings with the stakeholders and community leaders that have been focusing on embracing the cultural diversity within our community has been very well attended with good discussion and ideas being brought forth.

It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Wells to have a resolution of support for the 353 Downtown Report drafted and placed on the November 18th Agenda. AYE: Aldermen Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Daw MOTION CARRIED.

E. 2019 Property Tax Levy Presentation – Administrator Steinbrecher

Administrator Steinbrecher gave a brief overview of the City’s financial information for the upcoming passage of next year’s Tax Levy as follows:

1) Annual Increases in Police and Fire Pension Contributions

▪ In 2019, $821,600 was contributed to the Fire Pension and $765,500 was contributed to the Police Pension. In the past 9 years, City contributions to Police and Fire pensions have increased 117%.

2) Growth in Assessed Valuation

▪ There was a modest increase in 2019 from $79,083,587 to an estimated $80,670,000.

3) Changes in Property Tax Rate (City of Monmouth)

▪ The estimated tax property tax rate is $2.8771, which is less than the 2015 tax rate hike.

4) City Property Tax Revenue Allocation

▪ 68.4% of the City’s Property Tax Levy is used to make mandatory contributions to the Police and Fire pension funds and due to these mandatory contributions, the revenue to support City services for Monmouth citizens and businesses will decline by nearly 6% next year.

The City’s revenue is not keeping up with its expenses. The Administration is seeking ways to increase its revenue and decrease some of its expenses.

VI. RESOLUTIONS

A. 19-008, Sales of City owned Real Estate, 1014 W. 4th Avenue and Vacant Lot, 800 Block of South 3rd Street

1. Purchase Agreement – 1014 W. 4th Avenue

2. Purchase Agreement – 800 Block of South 3rd Street

VII. ORDINANCES A. 1st Reading

1. 19-032, Vacating East-West Alleyway-400 Block between S. I St. & S. Sunny Lane

City Attorney Spears explained that M-R District 238 wants to purchase the above listed two City owned parcels of land; therefore, it is necessary to pass a resolution authorizing the sale of those properties, but there is also an alleyway on these properties that has never been used as a alley and has never been vacated as such either. He has drafted an ordinance vacating this alleyway that is part of the above two listed parcels of land. It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderwoman Kelly to approve Resolutions 19-008 and Ordinance 19-032 collectively as presented. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Wells NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Daw MOTION CARRIED.

VIII. OTHER BUSINESS

Alderman Wells requested that the Council come to a decision with regards to passing a video gaming ordinance that will establish regulations for video gaming in the City. Mayor Davies asked the Council to express their opinions to Administrator Steinbrecher prior to the next Council meeting in order that an ordinance can be drafted to bring before the Council at the next meeting.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to adjourn the November 4, 2019 meeting at 6:35 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Alderman Daw, who was absent.

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