Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met April 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, Aldermen Brian Daw, Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo, Dan Heatherly and Alderwoman Mary Kelly Absent: Alderwoman Susan Twomey Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Clerk Susan S. Trevor, 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 Also Absent: City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher and City Attorney Marcum Spears Members of the Press: Jane Carlson, Register Mail

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of April 5, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Cook and seconded by Alderwoman Kelly to approve the April 5, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Heatherly and Alderwoman Kelly NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

A. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries

1. Mike Sheid said that the Tin Cup’s one-year anniversary is May 15th and they are going to host a small celebration from 10:30 – 1:00 p.m. in front of their building at 226 S. Main Street. He would like to block off the parallel parking in front of his building with concrete blocks to ensure the safety of the people attending. He would be responsible for setting and removing the blocks, which would only block off the parking spaces and not the street. He also stated that he would provide a drawing of his plan to Chief Switzer. Chief Switzer said that he had no problem with the plan. Mike invited everyone to attend.

2. Mark Richardson, a resident of 112 North B Street, expressed his concern for the ICS request to have the 200 block of West Archer permanently closed to allow the expansion of the school to the North. He was not in favor of the permanent closure of the 200 block of West Archer. He felt it would place a hardship for the neighborhood.

3. Joe McBride of 215 N. B Street, also expressed his opposition to the permanent closure of the 200 block of West Archer.

4. Chillon Stacker of 122 N. B Street expressed her opposition as well to the permanent closure of the 200 block of West Archer.

Mayor Davies thanked the above citizens for their viewpoint and said that their concerns would be taken under advisement when considering the ICS request for permanent closure of the 200 block of West Archer.

B. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. ICS Request for April 23rd One-Way on W. Archer for Drive-Thru Dinner 

Principal Randy Frakes requested that the 200 block of West Archer be converted to a one-way street from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. to allow ICS to host a drive-thru dinner on April 23rd. The school will be responsible for setting up and removing barricades. It is similar to the same set-up used by the Rotary Club for their annual BBQ dinners. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Cook to convert the 200 block of West Archer into a one-way street on April 23rd from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. to allow ICS to host a drive-thru dinner. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas and Cook. NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

B. ICS Request for Permanent Street Closure – 200 block of W. Archer Discussion 

Randy Frakes, principal of ICS, presented his school’s request for permanent closure of the 200 block of West Archer. He said that the school is considering building an addition to the north side of the existing school and would like to connect the two buildings to optimize student safety. Chris Gavin, a board member said that the school definitely wants to be a good neighbor and acknowledged the neighbors’ concerns about the street closure. They will continue to work with the neighbors in moving forward with their plans to add onto the existing school. Mayor Davies said the City would study the plan and meet with school officials to bring it back for discussion at a future meeting.

C. MACC Banners on Poles – Executive Director David Wise

Item removed from consideration.

D. MFD March Report – Chief Rexroat

The department responded to 113 calls and 2 structure fires in March

Training was conducted on forcible entry and weather spotting

The department is working on completing all maintenance on the trucks.

Jennifer Smith, a former dispatcher, painted a flag for mounting on the wall at the North Station.

The renewals for paid Fire Protection have been sent out. There are currently 64 properties outside city limits that subscribe.

Hydrant flushing will begin May 3rd in the Southeast quadrant of the City. 

E. MPD March Report – Chief Switzer

• The department made 94 arrests in March.

• Focus was begun in March on traffic issues such as distracted driving, speeding, failure to stop at stop signs, etc.

• Met with AFSCME dispatchers as to the effect of the new laws enacted last year due to COVID-19 and how this will apply to the auxiliary police as well.

• There are still two officers out due to extended illnesses and one out due to Workmen’s Comp.

F. W & C Service Agreement for Compliance with America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 – Jennifer Anders, W & C Engineer 

Jennifer explained that Woodard and Curran will provide engineering services to assist the City with completion of a Risk Resilience Assessment and development of an Emergency Response plan for the EPA in compliance with America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. Woodard and Curran will provide to the City for comments a draft RRA giving the analyses and findings and estimated costs determined during their evaluations. These comments will be included in the final report, which the City will then submit certification to the EPA that the RRA has been completed. After submission of the certification to the EPA, the City will then have six months to complete an Emergency Response Plan for the City’s drinking water system. The same procedure will be followed in providing the City with a draft ERP for comments to be incorporated into a final ERP. The total cost of the project is $100,000. It was moved by Alderwoman Kelly and seconded by Alderman Thomas to approve the Woodard and Curran Service Agreement for Compliance with America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 as presented. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas and Cook NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

H. IEPA Award to City of Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunity Program (GIGO) 

Woodard and Curran Public Works Director Jackson explained IEPA Director Jon Kim announced that the City of Monmouth in partnership with the Monmouth School District will receive $195,000 to develop a rain garden in the M-R High School parking lot. This project will help keep rainwater out of the City’s combined sewers which has been causing too many overflow events that drain into Markham Creek. The total project budget is $230,000 with IEPA providing $195,000 in grant funds and the City providing $34,500 in matching funds.

G. Approval of Airport Hangar Bid – Jeff Olson, Hutchison Engineering 

Jeff Olson from Hutchison Engineering gave the Council the results of the bids that were received and opened April 16th at City Hall. There were six qualified bidders giving the City very competitive bids and a good representation of the market. The bids ranged from $871,635 to $1,132.507. The apparent low bidder is Litteken Construction Company out of Breese, Il. near St. Louis with a bid of $871,635.00. Hutchison Engineering having worked with them on another hangar project is recommending awarding the project to Litteken. It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve awarding the airport hangar project to Litteken Construction for $871,635.00. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook and Daw. NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

VI. ORDINANCES

A. 1st Reading

1. 21-008, Amending Chapter 74 to Include Electric Scooters

Administrator Steinbrecher explained this ordinance is to amend Chapter 74 of the Municipal Code that regulates bicycles and motorcycles to allow for the usage of electric scooters. Communications Director Ken Helms further explained that Bird Scooters, which is a company that provides electric scooters for rental in large communities and wants to expand to smaller municipalities, will be dropping off 25 scooters next Monday or Tuesday if this ordinance is approved. There will be a local point of contact. It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Cook to approve amending Chapter 74 of the Municipal Code to allow and regulate electric scooters in the City. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Daw and Conard NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

2. 21-009, Adopting FY 2021-2022 Budget

Mayor Davies prefaced the approval of the 2021-2022 Budget with saying that if the City receives more opportunities to apply for and receive grants for infrastructure projects, that the budget will have to be amended. It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Daw to approve the FY 2021-2022 Budget as presented. AYE: Alderman Heatherly, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen Thomas, Cook, Daw, Conard and Pinedo NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to be considered.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Heatherly and seconded by Alderman Cook to adjourn the April 19, 2021 meeting at 7:40 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/attachments/article/820/April%2019,%202021%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf