Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Jan. 2.

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, Brian Daw (remote), Jim Conard and Juan Pinedo

Absent: Aldermen 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, Andy Jackson, Woodard and Curran Public Works Director, Communications Director Ken Helms, MFD Chief Casey Rexroat, MPD Chief Joe Switzer

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of December 18, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Pinedo and seconded by Alderman Conard to approve the December 18, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Bone, Daw, Conard and Pinedo NAY: none PASS: Alderwoman Twomey ABSENT: Aldermen Ferry and VanVleet MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

A. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries

1. Jim McVey, Sr. addressed the Council to convey his concerns to allow anyone to drive over the dam at Citizens Lake to fish. He stated that he felt allowing this would cause deterioration to the dam with ruts if ground is soft and also a safety issue with the possibility of a vehicle accidentally going off the side of the dam and into a ravine on the North or into the lake on the South. Mayor Davies thanked Mr. McVey for his concern and responded that the City was looking into the matter, but at present the ordinance stated that a person was allowed to drive to the point where they were fishing.

2. City Clerk Susan Trevor swore in Brady Morefield and Gara Nichols as new police officers for the Monmouth Police Department.

B. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills

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

MOTION CARRIED.

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Building and Zoning December Report – Director Clark

The Department continues to issue building permits, junk and debris notices, ordinance violations, issue citations and complete rental inspections. To date rental inspections are 87% completed.

Grants:

The City received confirmation from the Strong Communities Program of reimbursement of $212,000 grant to proceed with the solicitation of demolition bids for city owned properties at 122 W. 8th Avenue and 416 South 4th Street. Invitation for bids went out 12/27/2023 and the bid opening will be Friday, January 12th at 10:00 a.m. in City Hall.

Open Projects:

Monmouth College Stockdale Center, Smithfield Fresh Meats and ICS new gymnasium.

Completed Projects:

BCA renovation of lower level.

Brownfield Grants:

Phase I of Munson property is complete with Phase 2 to be conducted in January-February.

B. Woodard and Curran November Report – Director Jackson

➢ The department is currently doing some needed tree trimming.

➢ The water main on West Harlem between North Main and North G Street is installed, sanitized, tested and ready for connection.

➢ The City is still waiting on the funding from IDOT for the West Harlem road project between North Main and North G Street.

➢ There is a bid opening on January 9th at 2:00 p.m. for the Downtown Sewer project and a bid opening on January 11th at 10:00 a.m. for drilling Well #11.

C. Approval of MPD Chief Joe Switzer’s Updated Contract

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that Chief Switzer’s contract needed to be updated to current dates. It is the same standard three-year contract with the same terms as his last contract. It was moved by Alderman Bone and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve Chief Switzer’s updated three-year contract. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw (remote), Conard, Pinedo and Bone NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Ferry and VanVleet MOTION CARRIED.

D. WIRC Contract for Professional and Technical Services

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that the City did receive funding from the State in the amount of one-million dollars as part of the City’s improvement to its water system, which includes the drilling of a new well. The City would like to retain WIRC to administer the grant, which includes the completion of an environmental survey and also overseeing the financials involved with the drilling of a new well. It was moved by Alderwoman Twomey and seconded by Alderman Conard to approve the contract with WIRC for Professional and Technical Services to oversee the grant of one-million dollars received from the State. AYE: Aldermen Daw (remote), Conard, Pinedo, Bone and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Ferry and VanVleet MOTION CARRIED.

E. Confirmation of Mayoral Appointment of Jay Grant as 1st Ward Alderman Mayor Davies presented the name of Jay Grant to fill the vacancy of 1st Ward Alderman.

It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the Mayoral appointment of Jay Grant as 1st Ward Alderman to be sworn in at the next Council meeting. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Daw (remote). NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Ferry and VanVleet MOTION CARRIED.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to consider.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Bone to adjourn the January 2nd meeting at 6:20 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Aldermen Ferry and VanVleet, who were absent.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7191/f/agendas/january_2_2024_council_meeting_minutes_0.pdf