Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Nov. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. 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: Aldermen Brad Bone, Brian Daw, Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo, Kevin Ferry and John VanVleet Absent: Alderwoman Susan Twomey 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 16, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Daw to approve the October 16, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Bone, Daw, Conard and Pinedo NAY: none PASS: Aldermen Ferry and VanVleet ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL 

A. Presentations or Citizen Inquired 

There were none to be heard or considered.

B. Proclamations 

1. National Apprenticeship Week 

Mayor Davies read a proclamation declaring the week of November 13-19th as National Apprenticeship Week in celebration of its 9th anniversary.

2. Veterans Day 

Mayor Davies read a proclamation recognizing the service of men and women who have risked their lives to protect the interests of our country and protect our freedoms as well as those who continue to serve and thus declaring November 11th as Veterans Day in the City of Monmouth.

C. Consent Agenda 

1. Approval of Bills 

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 

A. Building and Zoning October Report-Director Clark 

✓ The department continues to issue tickets, permits, junk and debris notices, carry-out rental inspections and respond to complaints.

✓61% of landlord rental registration is complete.

✓City received $212,000 in Round 2 of Strong Communities Program. With the legal closing on November 15th, the City will be able to proceed with soliciting for bids for demolition of derelict properties.

B. Woodard and Curran September Report - Director Jackson

➤ Leaf pick-up started the last week of October and will continue until the middle of December.

➤ The seasonal mowing crew ended the season on October 20th.

➤ The City's backhoe lease will be up next May and due to fluctuating interest rates and delivery delays, the City placed an order in June. Unexpectedly, the backhoe was delivered early. 

➤ Last month myself, Bill Hart and a number of representatives from organizations such as Warren County and Knox County Soil and Water, Smithfield and BNSF held their first meeting to discuss nutrient assessment reduction plans as the EPA is increasing it mandates for nutrients being discharged into watersheds. Monmouth has already started phosphorus removal. Mayor Davies wanted to be sure the Council understood that Monmouth has been actively reducing nutrients for quite some time.

C. Bid Award for West Harlem Water Main Project 

Director Jackson explained there were six bidders, which two were local, for Phase I of replacing the water main on West Harlem from North Main to G Street. Laverdiere Construction submitted the low bid of $747, 396. The project will be funded from a $550,000 CDBG grant and also a half-million-dollar grant for General Infrastructure Projects that was secured for the City by State Senator Mike Halperin. The Administration is recommending acceptance of the bid of $747,396 submitted by Laverdiere Construction. It was moved by Alderman Bone and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve awarding the bid for the West Harlem Water Main Project to Laverdiere Construction. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet and Bone NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED. 

D. RISE Economic Recovery Plan - Administrator Steinbrecher

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that this plan was a result of an Economic Recovery grant. The plan was completed and reviewed by the Maple City Area Partnership Group. The main points of the plan are as follows:

1) Economic development will work through non-profit partnership of both public and private organizations. Just recently the MCAP received notice that the County will match the City's contribution.

2) The plan will address the need for housing in this community. 

3) Work will continue on public infrastructure to ensure an adequate supply of water through drilling a new well, building a small treatment plant and constructing a new elevated water tower for current and future developments

4) Transform Monmouth into a tourist destination,

5) Work with immigration groups to include wide diversity in this community. 

6) Develop revenue sources.

The Administration is recommending approval of the RISE Economic Recovery Plan. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Conard to approve the above- referenced RISE Economic Recovery Plan. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet and Bone NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

E. Request to Vacate Street/Cul-De-Sac in the McEwen Court Subdivision 

Monmouth Park District and property owners on the Cul-de-sac/Street in the McEwen Court Subdivision asked to have the Southern portion of the Cul-de-sac vacated as it is not used by the public or the property owners and will be incorporated by the Park District into the adjacent Warfield Park. It was moved y Alderman VanVleet and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to have City Attorney Spears draw up an ordinance to vacate the Southern portion of the Cul-de-Sac in the McEwen Court Subdivision. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet, Bone and Daw NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED. 

F. Request for Stop Sign at the Intersection of North 3rd and East Boson Avenue

Chief Switzer explained to the Council that as a result of an accident at the intersection of North 3rd and E. Clinton, there had been several requests to have a stop sign placed on North 3rd and East Clinton; however, after studying the situation, Chief Switzer felt that a better placement would be on North 3rd and East Clinton. There currently is no stop sign on North 3rd from East Broadway to Detroit. It was moved by Alderman Ferry and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to have City Attorney Spears draw up an ordinance to place a stop sign at the intersection of North 3rd and East Boston. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Ferry, Bone and Conard NAY: VanVleet and Daw ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

VI. ORDINANCES

A. 1st Reading 

1. 23-027, Amend Number of Package Liquor Licenses

Due to lack of a motion, Ordinance 23-027 failed to allow for an increase in the number of package liquor licenses.

B. 2nd Reading 

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

Due to lack of quorum at the previous meeting this Setback Variance for 504 North Main Street was brought back for consideration with a recommendation for approval from the ZBA. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to accept the recommendation from the ZBA and approve the Setback Variance for 504 North Main Street. AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Bone, Daw, Conard, Pinedo and Ferry NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

2. 23-026, MPD Surplus Property

Due to lack of quorum at the previous meeting this MPD Surplus Property ordinance was also brought back for consideration. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve Ordinance 23-026. AYE: Aldermen Bone, Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Ferry and VanVleet NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED. 

VII. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to consider.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to adjourn the November 6th meeting at 6:37 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Alderwoman Twomey, who was absent.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7191/f/minutes/approved_november_6_2023_council_meeting_minutes.pdf