Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Oct. 16.

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 Brad Bone, Alderwoman Susan Twomey, Aldermen Brian Daw, Jim Conard and Juan Pinedo 

Absent: Aldermen Justin Thomas, Kevin Ferry and John VanVleet 

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, Woodard and Curran Public Works Director Andy Jackson, MFD Chief Casey Rexroat, MPD Chief Joe Switzer

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of October 2, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the October 2, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Alderman Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard and Pinedo ABSENT: Aldermen Thomas, Ferry and VanVleet MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

A. Alderman Thomas Resignation Letter

Mayor Davies read a letter from Alderman Thomas stating that due to unforeseen circumstances, he was submitting his resignation effective immediately. Mayor Davies said that he would present a name for appointment as alderman for the 1st Ward in the near future.

B. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries

There were none to be heard.

C. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Request for Package Liquor License – 218-220 N. Main Street 

Mr. Jasminkumar Patel from Evansville, Indiana asked the Council to consider allowing another package liquor license as he understood there were none available. He stated that he owned several other package liquor stores in other communities which had video gaming machines. He understood that video gaming was not allowed in package liquor stores in Illinois. City Attorney Spears explained that if the Council approves issuing another package liquor license, which would bring the number to 12 licenses, he would have to draft an ordinance and it would be brought before the Council at the next meeting. It was moved by Alderman Pinedo and seconded by Alderman Bone to have City Attorney Spears draft an ordinance allowing a 12th package liquor license to be issued. AYE: Alderman Daw, Pinedo and Bone NAY: Alderwoman Twomey and Conard ABSENT: Aldermen Ferry and VanVleet 

B. MFD September Report – Chief Rexroat

Kyle Martin and Tim LaFollette began attending the NFPA Firefighter Academy and are doing well.

Firefighter Osborn attending a Rescue Task Force class in Sciota, Illinois. The class is to train police officers and firefighters on how to operate as a Rescue Task Force in response to active threat situations. As a result of attending this class, Firefighter Osborn is now qualified to train other police officers and firefighters on how to operate as apart of a Rescue Task Force.

The department along with the police department received an invitation from United Way to participate in a Safety Day held at OSF Holy Family Hospital. People could bring their car seats to receive instruction as to how to properly install and use them as well as some car seats were given to those people who did not have one.

The Riley and Ryder Strong blood drive was held at Station 1 and was very successful.

A number of fire safety presentations were made in local schools as part of Fire Prevention Month.

The annual Trick or Treat event will be held at the North Fire Station on Tuesday, October 31st from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. The Lions Club will provide hot dogs, chips and drink. MPD and Warren County Sheriff’s department will be present as well. 

C. MPD September Report – Chief Switzer

• Statistics for the month were: 39 arrests; 74 citations; 1180 MPD calls; 2507 Dispatch calls and 21 accidents.

• An officer was present for 10 court cases.

• Mayor Davies and Chief Switzer attended the Farmers Appreciation Breakfast. 

• Chief Switzer attend a mobile training meeting in East Moline.

• Traffic Control was provided for the Prime Beef Festival and M-R Homecoming parades.

• Lt. Bratcher provided police display for a “touch a truck” event at the Prime Beef Festival.

• Monthly mandated staff on-line training was completed.

• On Saturday, 8 applicants for the department came to take the physical test with 5 applicants passing. These applicants then will go on to take the written test.

D. Approval of WTP Disinfection Bid

Director Jackson explained that the City received two favorable bids on September 26th for the Disinfection System Addition project. Leander Construction, Inc. submitted the low bid for $2,422,000.00. Woodard and Curran reviewed the bid and is recommending approval of the bid. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to accept the recommendation of Woodard and Curran and approve the Leander Construction bid of $2,422,000 for the WTP Disinfection System Addition. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Bone and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Ferry and VanVleet MOTION CARRIED.

E. Approval of Mayoral Appointment to Cemetery Board

Mayor Davies explained that the current number of three members on the Cemetery Board makes it difficult to hold a meeting if one of the members cannot be present; therefore, he is presenting the name of Dan Watson to bring the number of members on the board to four. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Bone to approve the mayoral appointment of Dan Watson to the Cemetery Board. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Daw NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Ferry and VanVleet MOTION CARRIED.

F. Presentation of RISE Economic Recovery Plan

Administrator Steinbrecher reviewed for the Council the facts leading up to the completion of the RISE Economic Recovery Plan. He stated that last year the City received a grant from DCEO to develop an economic recovery plan for recovery from the impact of COVID-19 on communities’ economies. The City executed an agreement in April with Civic Solutions, LLC to develop a plan. Civic Solutions worked with the Monmouth Community Group in developing a plan and the plan is now complete. Administrator Steinbrecher then highlighted some of the priority goals of the plan as follows:

1. Creation of a full time Economic Development staff position to determine and establish Monmouth’s preferred model for economic development.

2. A dual priority is to:

a. Grow our housing stock and attract home builders and developers.

b. Address our water infrastructure such as drilling a new well and constructing an elevated water tower to increase our water supply to meet increasing demands. 

3. Transforming Monmouth as a destination location through celebrating our historic downtown; marketing; event planning and improving curb appeal.

4. Partner with other organizations in the community to work with our diverse immigrants. 

5. Develop revenue sources to help fund economic development priorities such as utility taxes; video gaming terminal fees or an eating tax.

6. Help promote local businesses by instituting a business support program; offer job training along with a number of other programs to support businesses and the community. 

7. Build up capacity to undertake economic development work through not just any one organization, but form partnerships with a number of private businesses and entities.

VI. ORDINANCES

A. 1st Reading

1. 23-025, ZBA Setback Variance – 504 North Main Street

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to accept the recommendation of the ZBA and approve the Setback Variance for 504 North Main Street. Due to lack of quorum, this ordinance will be brought back for 2nd Reading. 

2. 23-026, MPD Surplus Property

It was moved by Alderman Bone and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to approve Ordinance 23-026 declaring MPD Surplus Property as presented. Due to lack of quorum, this ordinance will be brought back for 2nd Reading.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to consider.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to adjourn the October 16th meeting at 6:35 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Aldermen Thomas, Ferry and VanVleet, who were absent.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7191/f/agendas/october_16_2023_council_meeting_minutes_0.pdf