Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Dec. 21

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, 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. 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 Members of the Press: Jane Carlson, Register Mail

A. Presentation of Appreciation Plaque

Mayor Davies presented an appreciation plaque to retired Captain Jerry Kinney for his 30 plus years of dedicated service to the Monmouth Community.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of December 7, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Cook and seconded by Alderman Daw to approve the December 7, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey (remotely), Aldermen Daw, Pinedo, Heatherly and Alderwoman Kelly 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 be heard.

B. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. MFD November Report – Chief Rexroat

There were 107 medical calls in November largely due to COVID-19. 

On Friday the 18th, firefighters responded to a totally engulfed large shed fire. It was a complete loss, but the neighboring houses were protected from damage by the responding firefighters. Chief Rexroat thanked the MPD for their assistance at the scene.

Fire drills at the schools are being conducted differently with clearing one room at a time rather than the whole school at once due to COVID-19.

B. MPD November Report – Chief Switzer

• There were 42 arrests with 1,154 calls for service during the month.

• Two officers tested positive for COVID-19, but are now back at work. Another officer tested positive and will be able to return to work the 25th of December. • 

• MPD received notification that the Department is in compliance with the Federal Use of Force guidelines. This is a mandatory certification that jurisdictions must achieve if they do or plan on receiving Federal funding.

• The annual MELC Turkey Trot and Christmas on the Square events went well without any incidents.

C. Request for Carry-Out Service Parking Space for Patton Block Grille & Brewpub 

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that the City had received a request from Patton Block Grille and Brewpub to designate at least one parking spot in front of the restaurant as “carryout”. Patton Block Grille would purchase the sign and pay to install it. The Administration is recommending designating one of the 20-minute parking spaces in front of the restaurant as a “carryout space”. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderwoman Kelly to approve the request for a “carryout” space in front of the Patton Block Grille and Brewpub. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey (remotely), Aldermen Daw, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas and Cook. NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

D. Request to lease One-Ton Truck for Public Works

Public Works Director Jackson explained that our current one-ton truck is a 2006 and is at the point where the City is spending enormous amounts of money to keep it operating. The lease quote is for a 2021 F-450, which is an upgrade over the current F-350 truck and would add around $850 per month to the lease agreement from Enterprise Fleet Management. The F-350 would be retired. It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the lease with Enterprise Fleet Management for the F-450 one-ton truck. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook and Alderwoman Twomey(remotely) NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

E. Approval of Bids for 110 South A Street (Old Dairy Building)

Building and Zoning Director Clark explained that the bids for asbestos abatement and demolition of the old Dairy Building at 110 South A Street were opened at City Hall on October 19, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. by City Clerk Trevor in his presence. The only bid for abatement of the asbestos in the building was received from Environmental Management Services in the amount of $23,270. The only bid received for demolition of the building was received from Maple City Construction in the amount of $63,900.00. Mayor Davies added that a local organization has donated $75,000 to assist the City with the abatement and demolition of the old Dairy Building. The City will own the property after the demolition is complete. It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Cook to accept the above-stated bids for the abatement and demolition of the old Dairy Building at 110 South A Street. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey (remotely) and Alderman Daw. NAY: none MOTION CARRIED. 

F. Illinois Local CURE’s Economic Support Grant Program

The City learned today that it has received a $188,000 grant from the Illinois Local CURE’s Economic Support Payments Grant Program to financially assist retail establishments and self-employed individuals that provide goods or services to the general public, including bars and restaurants with liquor licenses that were significantly impacted by the Governor’s Executive Orders during the initial lockdown for COVID-19. The timing of the contract is tight as the City has to receive the applications from the businesses by December 30, 2020. The Administration has sent out emails to local businesses and enlisted the assistance of the Chamber to reach all the businesses that have been affected by the lockdown. As of noon today, seven (7) businesses are interested. The Administration is seeking approval to authorize the City Administrator and the Mayor to sign any agreements that are submitted for the above-stated Grant Program. It was moved by Alderwoman Twomey (remotely) and seconded by Alderwoman Kelly to authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign agreements for submission to the Illinois Local CURE’s Economic Support Grant Program. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey (remotely) and Alderman Daw. NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to be considered.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Cook to adjourn the December 21, 2020 meeting at 6:25 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/attachments/article/803/December%2021,%202020%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf