Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Dec. 6.

Here are 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:

Alderwoman Susan Twomey (remotely), Aldermen Brian Daw, Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo, Alderwoman Mary Kelly and Alderman John VanVleet Absent: Aldermen Justin Thomas and Tony Cook 

Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Clerk Susan S. Trevor, City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher, City Attorney Marcum Spears, Building and Zoning Director Joe Clark, Communications Director Ken Helms, MFD Chief Casey Rexroat, MPD Chief Joe Switzer and Woodard & Curran Public Works Director Andy Jackson

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of November 15, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderwoman Kelly and seconded by Alderman Conard to approve the November 15, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. 

AYE: Alderwoman Twomey (remotely), Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly and Alderman VanVleet 

NAY: none 

ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and Cook 

MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

A. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries

1. Randy Seals, 602 N. 11th, asked for consideration of the speeding problem on North 11th in front of his home, which is located at the corner of East Euclid and North 11th Street. He explained there was an accident about three weeks ago where a speeding vehicle actually was impaled in the front of his house. He also said as there is no stop sign between East Broadway and the stop light at the Bypass and North 11th, the cars tend to exceed the speed limit. The

Mayor thanked him for bringing the problem to the Council’s attention and said that the police and administration would study the issue to come up with a solution.

2. Swearing-in of New Police Officer – Ethan Huston

City Clerk Susan Trevor swore in Ethan Huston as a new patrol officer for the Monmouth Police Department.

B. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Conard to approve the bills as presented. 

AYE: Alderwoman Twomey (remotely), Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly and Aldermen VanVleet 

NAY: none 

ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and Cook 

MOTION CARRIED.

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Building and Zoning November Report – Director Clark

Demolitions:

✓ Demolitions were completed for 1018 S. Main, 407 N. 10th and 911 S. C Street Open Projects:

✓ Work continues on First Methodist Church, OSF Emergency addition, Fareway’s Scooter Coffee Kiosk and the Municipal Airport

✓ LRS has completed the scale and underground fiber installation at the transfer station. They have also completed their purchase of Alexander Lumber Company and have begun remodeling the site.

✓ Monmouth Townhomes have poured the footings for 4 units on the North side of the property and should begin structural work later this week.

✓ The Park District has begun to set some of the roof trusses for their building with the hope to get it closed in before winter.

TIF Projects:

✓ Columbia Decorating building has been purchased and the front of the building is being repaired.

✓ LMP has completed their inside remodeling and outside landscaping.

✓ Flowers Are Us improvements for the South side of the building are completed.

B. Woodard and Curran October Report – Director Jackson

Updates:

➢ The water main work on North 5th is complete.

➢ The water trunk line North of Monmouth Townhomes under the bypass has been completed by Laverdiere.

➢ The new dump truck has finally arrived.

➢ Monmouth Townhomes passed all their current inspections of work completed to date.

➢ Leaf bag pick-up will continue through next Friday, December 10th.

➢ Administrator Steinbrecher and I met three weeks ago with LRS regarding the residential garbage and recycling contract they have been awarded beginning in April of 2022.

Mayor Davies asked Director Jackson to explain to the Council the IEPA Loan Ordinance that will be voted on under Ordinances. Director Jackson explained that the City is being mandated by the IEPA to be in compliance by May of 2023 to construct a disinfection system at the WWTP. One of the funding options suggested was to apply for a loan through the Water Pollution Control Loan fund as their interest rate is currently at 28%. It also has a forgivable loan percentage of 30% of the 3 and a half million-dollar loan that the City is applying for around the first of the year. In order to apply for the IEPA Loan, the City has to pass an ordinance stating their intention to apply for a loan through Water Pollution Control Loan fund, which requires Council action.

C. Approval of Option to Purchase Real Estate

Mayor Davies explained that the City currently has an option to purchase a parcel of real estate North of the cold storage plant, but it is set to expire. The City has applied for a grant for a new well and water treatment plant and if the City receives this grant then it will proceed to exercise this option to purchase this property from the Gosney Trust. Administrator Steinbrecher said that the City is in the preliminary process of applying for the grant and since the option is due to expire before the grant process is finalized, it is necessary to extend the option until November of 2022. It was moved by Alderwoman Twomey (remotely) and seconded by Alderman Daw to approve the Option to Purchase Real Estate as presented. 

AYE: Alderwoman Twomey (remotely), Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly and Alderman VanVleet 

NAY: none 

ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and Cook 

MOTION CARRIED.

VI. ORDINANCES

A. 1ST Reading

1. 21-032, IEPA Loan

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderwoman Kelly to approve Ordinance 21-032 for an IEPA Loan as presented. 

AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly, Alderman VanVleet and Alderwoman Twomey(remotely) 

NAY: none 

ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and Cook 

MOTION CARRIED.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to consider.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Conard to adjourn the December 6, 2021 meeting at 6:20 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Aldermen Thomas and Cook, who were absent.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/attachments/article/842/December%206,%202021%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf