Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met July 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor 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: Alderman Tony Cook, Alderwoman Susan Twomey, Aldermen Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo, Alderwoman Mary Kelly and Alderman John VanVleet Absent: Aldermen Justin Thomas and Brian Daw 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, Woodard and Curran Public Works Director Andy Jackson

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of July 5, 2022 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman VanVleet and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the July 5, 2022 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Alderman Cook, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly and Alderman VanVleet NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and Daw MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

A. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries

There were none to be heard.

B. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Monmouth College and Aramark Request for Liquor License

Angela Cox, MC Director of Food Service, Hannah Maher, V-P of Development and Alumni Relations and Donovan Borvan , Aramark Legal Counsel presented a request from the College to have a Class 6, Food Service Liquor License for Monmouth College. Angela explained that Aramark is the contracted food service for Monmouth College. Aramark and Monmouth College have determined that it would be best in their situation that Aramark obtain the license to buy, sell and serve liquor for Monmouth College as their customer and other customers using space at Monmouth College. The alcohol will only be served on the MC campus for events such as employee celebrations, dinners with visitors, fundraising events and Homecoming celebrations. Aramark may also provide service for other customers renting Monmouth College owned space. Only beer and wine will be served by a Bassett trained staff person and Aramark will be responsible for purchasing alcohol and storing it in a secured location. It was moved by Alderwoman Twomey and seconded by Alderman Conard to place it on the August 1st meeting agenda for a 1st reading. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen VanVleet and Cook NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and Daw MOTION CARRIED.

B. MFD June Report – Chief Rexroat

The department responded to a total of 125 calls in the month of June.

Captain Cozadd attended a National Incident Management System Class in Galesburg for emergency responders who may respond to a large-scale incident and be part of a command or operations center.

The entire department toured the new Emergency Center wing at OSF Holy Family Hospital to familiarize themselves with the care provided and the layout of the Emergency Center.

During the excessive heat the department hooked a hose to the hydrant at West Park on West Broadway and allowed kids to run through the water. They have done this before and it is well attended and great way to interact with kids of the community.

The department also participated in “1/2 Way to Freezing for Food” event at Sav-ALot.

All apparatus was serviced and the annual flow testing of the SCBA equipment was done.

The department will also be present at the annual Car Show in August.

C. MPD June Report – Chief Switzer

• During the month of June, the department responded to 1,260 calls, made 38 criminal arrests and had 2359 dispatch calls.

• The department responded to an incendiary device event with the assistance of MFD, FBI, the Peoria Bomb Squad and the Warren County Sheriff’s department. The suspect was taken into custody.

• Through the IDOT traffic grant program, 85 speeding tickets were issued during the month of June.

• The FOP held their annual Ken Russell Fishing Derby for kids and had a good turnout.

• A building inspection was conducted as part of the “slip, trip and fall program”.

• Firearms qualifications was conducted for all officers.

• The department also took part in the “1/2 way Freezing for Food” fundraiser at SavA-Lot.

• The department recognized the following officers for their years of service:

Officers McVey and Meyers for 22 years

Sgt. Jessie Hall for 20 years

Officer Bill Benson for 15 years

• In preparation for the Car Show in August, a meeting was held with all emergency responders to go over procedures for responding to any emergency occurring at the event.

D. Extension of Recyclables Collection Contract with Eagle Enterprises

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that since Lakeshore Recycling went to a fourday residential waste collection, it no longer coincided with Eagle Enterprises five-day recycling schedule; therefore, residents were having two different pickup days in some cases. The administration met with Lakeshore Recycling and Eagle Enterprises to try to coordinate the pickup schedules. In order for Eagle Enterprises to implement a four-day pickup schedule, they had to purchase a larger vehicle for recycling collection. As a result of this investment, they are requesting a five-year extension to their current contract, which is set to expire in November of 2023. The current cost per household is $4.56 per month and on December 1st of the new contract it would go up to $4.79 per month. Each year of the contract thereafter would have a 4% per month increase. The five-year contract would expire on November 30, 2028. The Administration is recommending approval of a five-year extension of the contract with Eagle Enterprises that would implement a four day a week pickup schedule to coincide with Lakeshore Recycling residential waste collection. It was moved by Alderman VanVleet and seconded by Alderman Cook to approve the 5-year extension to the Eagle Enterprises Recycling Contract as stated above. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen VanVleet, Cook and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and Daw. 

E. Commercial Building Rehabilitation Application for 211 North Main Street Administrator Steinbrecher explained that the City has received an application by John Wilson for masonry repair to his building located at 211 North Main Street. It is TIF eligible and the total cost of the repairs is $30, 052 of which 30%, amounting to $9,016, is reimbursable through the TIF program. The Administration is recommending approval. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Cook to approve the above-stated request for 211 North Main Street. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen VanVleet, Cook and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and Daw MOTION CARRIED. 

F. Commercial Building Rehabilitation Application for 66 Public Square The Administration received another Commercial building Rehabilitation application by Gerardo and Janey Ruvalcaba for a new roof for the building they just purchased located at 66 Public Square. It is TIF eligible and the cost of the roof replacement is $27,000 of which 30%, amounting to $8,100, is reimbursable through the TIF program. The Administration is recommending approval. It was moved by Alderwoman Kelly and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the above-stated request for 66 Public Square. AYE: Alderman Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen VanVleet, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Conard NAY: none PASS: Alderman Cook ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and Daw. 

G. Commercial Building Rehabilitation Application for 55-56 Public Square Robbins Treat Resources submitted a Commercial Building Rehabilitation application for roof repair on their building located at 55-56 Public Square. It is TIF eligible and the cost of the roof repair came in at $9,316 of which 30%, amounting to $2,795, is reimbursable through the TIF program. The Administration is recommending approval. It was moved by Alderman Cook and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to approve the above-stated request for 55-56 Public Square. AYE: Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen VanVleet, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Conard and Pinedo NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and Daw MOTION CARRIED.

Administrator Steinbrecher said the Commercial Building Rehabilitation program has been very successful in helping to restore the downtown area.

H. Approval of Demolition Bids for 1128 S. 11th Street and 829 S. 1st Street Zoning Director Clark explained that there was a bid opening held Friday, July 15th at 10:00 a.m. in City Hall. There were two bids received and Brown Excavation came in with the low bid of $8,394.00 for 1128 S. 11sth Street and $14,940.00 for 829 S. 1st Street. The Administration is recommending approval of both bids by Brown Excavating for the demolition of the above-named properties. It was moved by Alderwoman Kelly and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the above-stated demolition bids. AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Cook, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Conard, Pinedo and Alderwoman Kelly NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and Daw MOTION CARRIED.

I. Reconsideration of Golf Cart Ordinance Discussion

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that last Fall a vote on an ordinance for regulating golf carts, low-speed and non-highway vehicles failed. However, there have been requests to reconsider this issue. In the first proposed ordinance, there were several items that were omitted.

The first item was the omission of including North 6th Street from East Broadway to North 6th Street Extended in the list of restricted streets. The second omission was including the lowspeed vehicles to be restricted on the same streets as the golf carts. The third omission was that although the State specifically allows for the operation of golf carts as well as non-highway vehicles which includes A.T.V.’s, off-highway motorcycles and recreational off-highway vehicles, this was not addressed in the City’s initial draft. These vehicles could have straddle seats and handles other than steering wheels and represents a concern for public safety as to the maneuverability in crossing non-designated intersections. 

Chief Switzer offered his opinion that the ordinance needs to be more specific as to what is allowed such as no bench seats and perhaps requiring seat belts and windshields. He added that low-speed vehicles have to be licensed and registered through the State, which assigns them a vin number. These vehicles also have to be inspected for turn signals, brakes, brake lights and head lamps visible up to 500 feet. In addition, the person operating a low-speed vehicle has to have a valid drivers license. 

City Attorney Spears said that local authorities are given the authority to be as restrictive as they desire in their regulations of the operation of golf carts, low-speed vehicles and nonhighway vehicles in their municipality. 

Mayor Davies stated that there are definitely public safety concerns and asked for a motion to have the City Attorney draft a revised ordinance addressing the above-mentioned restrictions and place it on the August 1st Council Meeting agenda. 

It was moved by Alderman VanVleet and seconded by Alderman Cook to have City Attorney Spears draw up an ordinance regulating the use of Golf Carts, Low-Speed and Non-Highway Vehicles to be placed on the Agenda for a 1st Reading at the August 1st Council Meeting. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly, Aldermen VanVleet and Cook NAY: Alderwoman Twomey ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and Daw MOTION CARRIED.

VI. ORDINANCES

A. 1st Reading

1. 22-019, Amending Chapter 53-Solid Municipal Waste-Brush and Tree Limbs Public Works Director Jackson explained that commercial tree removal contractors have been dumping large trees on the City’s burn pile and some of these contractors were not even residents of the City. This burn pile was created for the purpose of disposing of storm damage after a major storm and was to be for the residents of the City. The City has to pay $45 per ton to dispose of the ash from the burn pile and right now there are approximately 250 tons that would cost the City around $30,000. This ordinance would only allow citizens to dump limbs that are six inches or less in diameter free of charge. If a citizen wants to bring limbs larger than the allowed six inches, he would need to get a permit from the Public Works Director and that would be free of charge. Director Jackson asked to have it clarified that he would have the authority in issuing the permits to make the decision as to what would be allowed and was told that he would have that authority.

It was moved by Alderman Cook and seconded by Alderman Conard to approve amending Chapter 53, Section 53.30 – Landscape/Yard Waste – Brush Disposal as presented. AYE: Alderman Cook, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Alderwoman Kelly and Alderman VanVleet NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas and

Cook MOTION CARRIED.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to be considered.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Cook and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to adjourn the July 18, 2022 meeting at 7:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Aldermen Thomas and Daw, who were absent.

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