Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met July 17.

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: Alderman Bone, Alderwoman Susan Twomey, Aldermen Brian Daw, Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo, Kevin Ferry and John VanVleet Absent: Alderman Justin Thomas Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Clerk Susan S. Trevor, 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 Area Manager Greg Frieden Also Absent: City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher and Woodard & Curran Public Works Director Andy Jackson

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

A. Approval of July 3, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes 

It was moved by Alderman Ferry and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to approve the July 3, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Alderman Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo and Ferry NAY: none PASS: Alderman VanVleet ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas MOTION CARRIED. 

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL 

A. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries 

1. Recognition of Office McVey’s Retirement 

Chief Switzer gave a Certificate of Appreciation to Officer Jim McVey for his 23 years of service to the MPD and the community. A carved wooden replica of the MPD badge with his name and years of service was also presented to Officer McVey. 

B. Consent Agenda 

1. Approval of Bills 

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 

A. Modified Backpack Street Closure Request – Karla Wallace 

Chief Switzer reported that he had met with Karla and they determined that only closing one lane in the 1100 block of South A would provide enough room for the small train to operate. The hours were to be between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve the amended street closure for Karla Wallace’s Backpack Event on the 29th of July. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet and Bone NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED. 

B. MFD June Report – Chief Rexroat 

There were 141 calls for service in June.  

The department had 500 hours of training in June. The main training was on rope rescue at Monmouth College along with setting up a landing zone for air copter rescue. 

The department participated in the “Half-way to Freezing” food drive for Jamison Center. 

The annual pump check for apparatus was conducted along with the annual flow test on the air packs. Some of the small hoses were found to have leaks. 

Thirteen people took the written and physical agility tests with seven people passing and were put on the final eligibility list. At present, the department has no vacancies. 

C. MD June Report – Chief Switzer  

• In June the department had 61 arrests; 56 ordinance violations; 1,256 MPD calls; 1,878 dispatch calls and 12 accidents. 

• Officers were present for 15 court cases. 

• Chief Switzer and Lieutenant Blackman participated in “Half-way Freezing for Food” for Jamieson Center. 

• Two candidates took the psychological exam and physical exam to be put on the eligibility list. 

• As Chief, I attended the Mobile Training Unit meeting and was elected Vice President of the unit. 

• Lieutenant Blackman and Investigator Kramer attended cyber security training on the WIU campus. 

D. Approval of Lease – 200 South Main Street  

Administrator Steinbrecher explained this lease is an 18-month lease beginning September 1, 2023 and ending February 23, 2025 with Coraima Rodriguez, owner of Supermercado Cuatro Hermanas, a Mexican grocery and take-out restaurant. She has to vacate her present location next to Vickroy’s on East Archer. She is in the process of renovating a building she owns at 319 North Main, but needs to re-locate to another space until her renovations are completed. She may vacate 200 N. Main to terminate the lease by providing a 30-day notice to the City Administrator. The Administration is recommending approval of the lease. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to approve the lease with Coraima Rodriguez for 200 South Main Street. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet, Bone and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED. 

VI. ORDINANCES  

A. 1st Reading  

1. 23-020, Council Meeting Virtual Attendance  

City Attorney Spears explained that Governor Pritzker rescinded the original ordinance passed during the Covid-19 Pandemic allowing remote attendance at Council meetings. Remote attendance will still be allowed if a municipality passes an ordinance that meets the State requirements. This ordinance will codify the State requirements. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to approve Ordinance 23-020 that would provide for virtual attendance at the City’s Council Meetings. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Daw NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED.  

B. 2nd Reading  

 1. 23-018, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 22-005 to adjust a Setback Variance - Monmouth Townhomes  

Due to the lack of quorum to pass this ordinance at the last meeting, it is being brought back for a 2nd reading for consideration. Administrator Steinbrecher reminded the Council that this ordinance is to provide a setback variance for the reduction of the front yard setback from 25 feet to 21 feet for 203, 309, and 404 East Jackson located in the Monmouth Townhomes Subdivision. The Administration is recommending approval of the ordinance. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet, Bones, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Conard NAY: Alderman Daw ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED.  

VII. OTHER BUSINESS  

There was none to consider. 

VIII. ADJOURNMENT  

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to adjourn the July 17, 2023, meeting at 6:20 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Aldermen Thomas, who was absent.  

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7191/f/agendas/july_17_2023_council_meeting_minutes.pdf