Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Oct. 19.

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 (remotely), Aldermen Brian Daw, Robert Wells, Juan Pinedo, Dan Heatherly and Alderwoman Mary Kelly Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Clerk Susan S. Trevor, City Attorney Marcum Spears and Administrator Lew Steinbrecher Also Present: Communications Director Ken Helms, Building and Zoning Director Joe Clark, MFD Chief Casey Rexroat, MPD Chief Joe Switzer and Woodard and Curran Public Works Director Andy Jackson

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of October 5, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Cook and seconded by Alderwoman Wells to approve the October 5, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey (remotely), Aldermen Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly and Alderwoman Kelly PASS: Alderman Daw MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

A. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries (All inquiries are limited to 3 minutes per City Ordinance) Nancy Mowen, Executive Director of Jamieson Center, made a presentation on a new program that a group of people in the community put together to draw people into better agreement about themselves and our community. It is called “Our Community Stronger” and is made up of a number of positive statements that everyone could agree on. The details are on the Jamieson Center Facebook page and she would appreciate if everyone could spread the word via social media or word of mouth.

B. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Highpoint Church Trunk or Treat Event

Pastor Reynolds said that the Highpoint Church would like to hold a community outreach event to provide a safe Halloween event by holding a drive-through the parking lot next to their church for families to view decorated car trunks and then receive pre-packaged candy at the last car location. The hours will be 5-7 p.m. and will be following all the Halloween guidelines of the IDPH Trunk or Treat guide. It was moved by Alderman Wells and seconded by Alderwoman Kelly to approve the above-stated request by Highpoint Church. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey (remotely), Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas and Cook NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

B. MFD September Report – Chief Rexroat

The department responded to 115 calls in September.

A virtual training event for response to gas leaks was held with Ameren.

The department is participating with IDPH every two weeks to stay updated on COVID-19 guidelines.

The annual hose testing was completed.

The annual Halloween event at the North Station has been cancelled due to COVID-19.

For Fire Prevention Week, Ken Helms helped the department to put together a video to show in the schools due to the fact that COVID-19 prevented firefighters from visiting the schools in person. It was received enthusiastically with many requests to show it.

C. MPD September Report – Chief Switzer

• There were 61 arrests and 1113 calls for service

• Our department was sent to Macomb Western University for what was thought to be an active shooter event, but turned out to be a dispute between two students. Our officers were sent in first based on their reputation for expertise in active shooter situations. We were commended for the department’s handling of the situation.

• Danielle Cox resigned as a dispatcher to take a position as an Administrative Assistant in City Hall.

• The department was awarded an annual STEP Grant through IDOT for the Federal fiscal year 2021. This grant is given for traffic hours that MPD officers work and is for all extra traffic details.

D. Buffalo 67 Commercial Building Rehabilitation Grant Additional Funds Request

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that Chase Gibb, the owner of the Buffalo 67 Restaurant at 1201 W. Broadway has found additional sagging ceiling joists. It will now be necessary to reinforce the ceiling and roof over the southeast dining room area by installing steel beams. That will be an additional $14,100 cost. In addition, it was also discovered that the floor in the walk-in cooler is rotted out, which will be an additional $9,797 cost. The Council had approved a Commercial Building Rehabilitation Grant in the amount of $32,000 in August. The Administration is recommending that an additional $7,150 be approved towards the unexpected additional expenses. It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Wells to approve an additional $7,150 from the Commercial Building Rehabilitation Grant program be given to Chase Gibb towards the extra roof and floor costs. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook and Alderwoman Twomey (remotely) NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

VI. RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution 20-013, Authorizing the use of City TIF Funds as Local Match for Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) Grant Application

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that the City has been pursuing an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Grant to improve the downtown through extensive infrastructure improvement and beautification of the downtown. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $2,850,857. The City has applied for a $2,000,000 grant with a local match of $850,857. The local match funds would come from the Downtown TIF District, which has been extended to 2035. This certainly will give the City time to get additional funding. As part of applying for the ITEP Grant it is necessary to pass a resolution to use City TIF Funds for the local match. It was moved by Alderman Wells and seconded by Alderwoman Kelly to approve the above- stated Resolution 20-013. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Wells, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook and Alderwoman Twomey (remotely). NAY: none

MOTION CARRIED.

VII. ORDINANCES 

A. 1st Reading

1. 20-028, Adding Chapter 125 Entitled “Sidewalk Cafes”

Administrator Steinbrecher reviewed the changes that came about from the requests by several businesses that wished to continue their outdoor dining that was permitted as a response to the restrictions placed on restaurants due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Per the discussion at the last Council meeting, City Attorney Spears drew up Ordinance 20-028 incorporating a new Chapter 125 that reflected the following changes:

✓ Expanded hours of 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with no alcohol being served before 11:00 a.m.

✓ A reduction from 5 feet to 4 feet of unobstructed sidewalk width

✓ Allow for only once entrance and exit to the designated sidewalk area

✓ Expand the allowed operational dates from April 1st to November 30th

✓ Must be in compliance with IDPH Health Guidelines

A discussion ensued about the inclusion of BYOB bottle of wine that is currently permitted if a person wishes to do so and is willing to pay the corkage fee charged by the business owner, who has the right to deny the bringing in of BYOB bottle of wine by a patron. It is currently permitted per ordinance and would not be affected by the passage of Ordinance 20- 028. It was moved by Alderman Thomas and seconded by Alderman Daw to approve Ordinance 20-028 that would add Chapter 125, Entitled “Sidewalk Cafes” to the City’s Municipal Code. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey (remotely) and Alderman Daw NAY: Alderman Wells MOTION CARRIED.

VIII. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to be considered.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderwoman Wells to adjourn the October 19, 2020 meeting at 6:40 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/attachments/article/794/October%2019,%202020%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf