Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council Met March 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 Twomey (remotely), Aldermen Brian Daw, Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo, Dan Heatherly and Alderwoman Mary Kelly Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Clerk Susan S. Trevor, City Attorney Marcum Spears, Administrator Lew Steinbrecher, Woodard and Curran Public Works Director Andy Jackson, Communications Director Ken Helms, Building and Zoning Director Joe Clark, MFD Chief Casey Rexroat and MPD Chief Joe Switzer Members of the Press: Jane Carlson, Register Mail

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of March 1, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderwoman Kelly and seconded by Alderman Cook to approve the March 1, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes as amended to count Alderwoman Twomey present remotely. AYE: Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey (remotely), Aldermen Daw, Conard, 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) 

Toni Ball, who lives in Prairie View Apartments located on Industrial Park Road, requested the City to look into a solution for the congested intersection between North Main Street and Industrial Park Road. While she is appreciative of the economic development that has occurred in the North Main Street area, the increased traffic from the new development makes it very difficult for people exiting Industrial Park Road onto North Main Street. Toni also asked if there was anything that could be done to improve the visibility of the lane markings on North Main Street as the striping marking the lanes is very difficult to see in the dark and when it is raining. Mayor Davies and the Council thanked Ms. Ball for calling theses issues to their attention and said that they certainly would look into finding solutions.

B. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. MFD February Report – Chief Rexroat

Chief Rexroat participated in training in Galesburg that dealt with buried pipelines. 1st responders were also given an opportunity to speak with companies who have buried pipelines in the area.

Maintenance of apparatus issues was completed.

The updated invoices for paid Fire Protection will be sent out soon.

Hydrant flushing will begin towards the end of April.

The Fire Department has submitted two grant requests to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which is a Federal grant administered by FEMA. Each grant will be considered separately and if awarded will require a 5% match from the City.

B. MPD February Report – Chief Switzer

• ALICE drills were conducted at Central Intermediate and Harding Elementary Schools

• Two new dispatchers were hired and are in training.

• Bar checks have resumed due to loosened COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants.

• Through a large investigation in conjunction with several agencies, the MPD was able to recover various stolen items, including Alderman Thomas’s trailer. The items were located in Cass County.

• 5 MPD employees received the COVID vaccine.

C. Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement with IAFF Local 1702 

Administrator Steinbrecher informed the Council that the City has reached a tentative 3- year agreement with IAFF Local 1702. He gave the following highlights: 

✓ Annual compensation raises of 2.25%

✓ Premiums for single person coverage will now require a 5% plan contribution by the employee.

✓ Fair-share and union dues language was removed from the contract to comply with a U. S. Supreme Court decision.

The Administration is recommending approval of the contract with IAFF Local 1702 as presented. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Daw to approve the new 3- agreement with IAFF Local 1702 as presented. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey (remotely), Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas and Cook NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

D. Term Sheet for Redevelopment of 400 South Main Street

This Term Sheet is a performance-based agreement with Scott Haase, who is converting the old Review Atlas building into a family community center and investing a minimum of $550,000 into the rehabilitation of the building. There are no up-front out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the City. $120,000 of expenses are eligible for TIF funds to be rebated to the developer. The Administration is recommending approval of the Term Sheet Agreement with Scott Haase. It was moved by Alderman Cook and seconded by Alderman Heatherly to approve the Term Sheet agreement with Scott Haase as presented. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook and Alderwoman Twomey (remotely) NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

E. Presentation of FY 2021-2022 Annual Budget

Administrator Steinbrecher presented the proposed budget for 2021-2022 to the Council with the following overview:

• The total budget is $22,174,633.

• It is a status-quo budget with no increase or decrease in personnel in all departments, and by maintaining municipal services at current levels.

• Significant expenses continue to be allocated to official closure of the landfill as mandated by the IEPA. The closing of the landfill will allow the City to close several wells that monitor water located on the old landfill property and adjacent land that cost the City $50,000 per year.

• There was an 18.5% increase in property and liability insurance and for workers compensation policy premiums for 2021.

• $20,000 has been appropriated to the YMCA for a previous 10-year commitment by City Council to financially assist in operating their outdoor community pool. • Funds have been allocated to replace the water main on West Harlem Avenue in preparation for reconstruction of the West Harlem roadway in 2022.

• An expenditure line item in Municipal Operations has been established to fund deferred maintenance and repair costs for multiple municipal properties.

There will no action taken on the budget tonight, but it will be on the agenda to be voted on at the next Council meeting on April 5th. The entire budget will be available in the Clerk’s Office for public review starting tomorrow.

F. Discussion of Bird Scooter Implementation

Communications Director Ken Helms explained that Bird Scooter is a company that has electric rental scooters in larger metropolitan areas and it is now beginning to place them in smaller communities. They approached the Administration about the possibility of placing around 25 scooters in several public places around Monmouth. These scooters are short term rentals that are rented through apps on a smart phone. The scooters are limited to 15 mph. Administrator Steinbrecher asked the Council to review the information and be prepared to vote on an agreement at the next Council meeting.

G. Advertise for bids to Construct New Airport Hangar

Administrator Steinbrecher informed the Council that the City has finally received approval from the Illinois Department of Aviation to build the new airport hangar. Hutchison Engineering is advertising for bids this next week and will run the ad for four weeks with the bid approval to be acted upon at the 2nd meeting in April. The Administration is asking Council authorization to go out for bids on a new hangar. It was moved by Alderwoman Kelly and seconded by Alderman Heatherly to authorize the Administration to have Hutchison Engineering advertise for bids for the construction of a new hangar at the airport. AYE: Aldermen Conard, 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 March 15, 2021 meeting at 6:45 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/attachments/article/815/March%2015,%202021%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf