Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Aug. 21.

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 Administrator Lew Steinbrecher, 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 Public Works Director Andy Jackson

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

 A. Approval of August 7, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes 

It was moved by Alderman VanVleet and seconded by Alderman Ferry to approve the August 7, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Alderman Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Ferry and VanVleet NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas MOTION CARRIED. 

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL 

A. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries 

1. MFD Promotions 

Chief Rexroat explained that Assistant Chief Josh Hinton is retiring. With his retirement that left openings for promoting within the department. City Clerk Susan Trevor then swore in Captain Craig Cozadd as a new Assistant Chief and Firefighter Gary Carson as a new Captain.

B. Consent Agenda 

1. Approval of Bills 

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman VanVleet 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. American Cancer Society Street Closure Request – Stacey Dutton 

This request was removed from the Agenda due to the absence of a representative from the American Cancer Society.

B. Courtyard Estate 5k Request – Amy Morefield 

Amy Morefield from Courtyard Estates presented a request to hold a 1st Annual Alzheimer’s 5k walk/run to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association. She met with Chief Switzer to draw up a route that was approved by him and it is attached to the request. The event will be on September 16th beginning at 8:30 a.m. and lasting for around and hour and a half. It was moved by Alderman Pinedo and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve Courtyard’s request to hold a 5k walk/run to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association on September 16th. AYE: Alderman Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Ferry and VanVleet NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED. 

C. knk1009, LLC Liquor License Request – Uttkursh Patel 

Mr. Patel presented a request to have a Class 4 Liquor License for package liquor sales and also a Class 3 Beer and Wine pour license in order to be able to have video gaming machines. Mayor Davies explained that essentially this would constitute a gaming parlor and in the past Council has denied licensing for a gaming parlor. It was moved by Alderman Pinedo to allow Mr. Patel a Class 3 and Class 4 Liquor License, but the motion died due to lack of a second; therefore, Mr. Patel’s request for a Class 3 and Class 4 Liquor License failed. 

D. MFD July Report – Chief Rexroat 

There were 163 calls for service in July.  

The department stood by for the 4th of July Fly-in Breakfast. 

A water event utilizing the hydrants was held in West Park and was well attended by around 200 people. 

The department attended and made donations for the “Backpack Event” held at South Park this past month. 

MFD was a recipient of an $8,000 grant from the Monmouth Community Fund. The grant will be used to buy new equipment. 

Assistant Chief Josh Hinton retired, which left a vacancy for an Assistant Chief position. 

E. MPD July Report – Chief Switzer  

• The July report shows 58 Criminal Arrests; 76 Ordinance Violations; 1,485 MPD Calls; 2,997 Dispatch Calls and 15 Accidents 

• Chief Switzer then defined types of arrests and ordinance violations the department has responded to such as arrests for forgery, battery, DUI, violations of bond among those cited. Ordinance violations included possession of drug paraphernalia, public intoxication, speeding, curfew violation and cell phone violation. 

• On-line staff training through the Illinois Training and Standard Board continues. 

• The Speed Trailer is temporarily out-of-service due to electrical problems. The vendor that the trailer was purchased from is no longer in business; therefore, a search is on for a company that can fix the electrical issue. 

• There is a potential for a lateral transfer to a new police officer. 

• There are two new dispatchers in training, but there is still a shortage for dispatchers. 

F. Vacation of the North-South Alley in 700 block of North 9-1/2 & North 10th Streets 

Zoning Director Clark explained that all the neighbors bordering this alley have requested the City vacation of the alley. They understand that the City will still maintain an easement through the alley. The alley runs North and South in the 700 block of North 9-1/2 and North 10th Streets with the South end on East Franklin and the North end on East Girard. An ordinance will have to be drafted to vacate this alley. It was moved by Alderman Bone and seconded by Alderman Conard to have the City Attorney draft an ordinance vacating the above cited alley in the 700 block of North 9-1/2 and North 10th Streets. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Daw NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED.  

VI. ORDINANCES  

A. 2nd Reading  

1. 23-022, Urban Hen Ordinance  

Mayor Davies explained that due to lack of 2/3 vote to pass an ordinance on the 1st Reading, the ordinance has to be brought back for a second reading. Alderman VanVleet referred to a print-out from a study done in 2013 that he gave to each member of the Council. The study pointed out that the noise level from hens was barely more than noise on a residential street or human conversation. It also showed that chickens are not any more likely to carry disease than other animals. A backyard chicken coop housing 6-8 hens does not create an odor issue if given proper care according to the study. As to the keeping of chickens affecting property values, the study showed that the top 10 housing markets that allow chickens are appreciating in value. After reading this study, Alderman VanVleet felt that allowing the raising of hens in Monmouth would not create a big problem that would be detrimental to the City. Alderwoman Twomey expressed her concern that non-enforcement of the current ordinance has been a problem and she still felt it would be a degradation of neighborhoods. Mayor Davies responded that at the present time zoning ordinance violations are complaint driven. Aldermen Ferry and Bone also felt that if enforcement is an issue it is up to the Council to find a solution to solve the problem. Mayor Davies called for a motion and a vote on Ordinance 23-022. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve Ordinance 23-022, Amending Section 91.12, keeping Certain Animals within the City limits. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet and Daw NAY: Alderman Bone, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Conard ABSENT: Alderman Thomas MOTION CARRIED.  

VII. OTHER BUSINESS  

There was none to consider. 

VIII. ADJOURNMENT  

It was moved by Alderman VanVleet seconded by Alderman Daw to adjourn the August 21, 2023, meeting at 6:40 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/august_21_2023_council_meeting_minutes_0.pdf