Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Feb. 5.

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: Aldermen Jay Grant, Brad Bone, Alderwoman Susan Twomey, Aldermen Brian Daw, Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo and John VanVleet Absent: Alderman Kevin Ferry Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, 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 January 16, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Grant to approve the January 2, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Alderman Grant, Alderwoman Twomey Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo and VanVleet NAY: none PASS: Alderman Bone ABSENT: Alderman Kevin Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

A. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries

1. Businessman Ray Gillen, owner of La Pequenita Store on South 1st Street addressed the Council as to how the closing of the 100 block of South 1st for the Farmer’s Market on Friday afternoons and early evenings during the summer and early fall months has severely impacted his business. Prior to the closing of the 100 block of South 1st, he had huge Friday sales of tacos to go during the hours of 12 Noon to 7:00 p.m. When the 100 block was closed for the Farmers Market, his taco-to-go business declined dramatically and has not recovered to its previous numbers. Mr. Gillen also stated that in his observation of the attendance at the Farmers Market, he did not see a very large attendance. He is asking the Council to not shut down the 100 block of South 1st for a Farmers Market this year and have it moved to another location. Mayor Davies acknowledged Mr. Gillen’s concerns and said that the City would definitely look into the matter.

2. MPD Chief Switzer introduced Zach Dean as a new MPD officer, who was sworn in last week at City Hall during the day. He is a lateral transfer from Mt. Sterling.

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: Aldermen Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo and VanVleet NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry

MOTION CARRIED.

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Building and Zoning Report – Director Clark

✓ The demolition re-bids for 122 W. 8th and 416 S. 4th were opened last Friday and are on this meeting’s agenda for Council approval.

✓ Completed projects:

a. Smithfield Fresh Meats Fabrication Shop and Restrooms

✓ Open projects:

a. Brownfield Grant for Munson property had collection of geological samples postponed due to weather but should be on schedule in the next week or so.

b. ICS Gymnasium has laid foundation for sewer.

c. M.C. Stockdale Center has not completed electrical service upgrades due to delay in delivery of parts.

d. Smithfield Fresh Meats has not erected framing for additional office space.

B. Approval of Demolition Bids for 122 West 8th Avenue and 416 South 4th Street

Director Clark explained that the demolition bids for the above listed properties were opened on Friday, February 2nd and the low qualified bids were as follows:

1) Brown Excavating & Demolition’s bid of $16,474.00 for 122 West 8th Avenue

2) Brown Excavating & Demolition’s bid of $11,349.00 for 416 South 4th Street

Director Clark recommended acceptance of the low bids by Brown Excavating & Demolition. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the two demolition bids submitted for 122 West 8th Avenue and 416 South 4th Street and award the project to Brown Excavating & Demolition. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant and Bone NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

C. Woodard and Curran December Report – Director Jackson

➢ Andy congratulated the street department crews on their dedication and handling of the removal of snow from the streets in the aftermath of the major winter snow storm in January. It was necessary to pull men from the WWTP to be able to give the regular crew a rest. There were also 3 water main breaks that occurred during the major winter storm that had to be dealt with and again the street department crew did a great job of dealing with all the issues.

➢ There are several items for Council approval tonight, which are the Drilling of Well #11, the Downtown Utility Replacement Project and the Engineering Agreement with IMEG.

➢ Alderman Bone asked what the process was to respond to complaints as he had a woman complain that a pile of six feet of snow blocked her driveway after the City plowed and she could not get out of her drive. Andy replied that normally a call would be placed to Public Safety, who would then notify the Street Department. This was a very demanding time for the street department as they are also short-handed and it was taken care of as soon as possible.

D. Approval of Well #11 Bid – Don Taul, W & C Engineer Mr. Taul informed the Council that bids were opened at City Hall on January 18th and Gingerich Well and Pump Service of Kalona, Iowa submitted the low bid of $2,845,500.30.

Woodard & Curran checked all references and required paperwork and is recommending approval of the low bid from Gingerich Well and Pump Service. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve the low bid of $2,845,500.30 from Gingerich Well and Pump Service. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Bone and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION

CARRIED. E. Approval of Downtown Utility Replacement Project Bid

Mr. Taul also explained that the bids for the Downton Utility Replacement Project were opened at City Hall on January 11th and the low bid of $1,052.540.00 was submitted by Laverdiere Construction of Macomb, IL. Their references and required paperwork were in order and Woodard & Curran is recommending approval of Laverdiere’s low bid. It moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman Bone to approve the low bid of $1,052,540.00 from Laverdiere Construction for the Downtown Utility Replacement Project. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Daw NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

F. Approval of IMEG Engineering Agreement – West Harlem Reconstruction – Loren Rains

Mr. Rains explained that the City finally received IDOT approval a few weeks ago on the submitted preliminary report for the West Harlem Reconstruction project. The report addressed ADA access for 7 intersections between North Main Street to North G Street. IDOT required the west entrance to the YMCA and the entrance to the OSF Holy Family Clinic to the West of North G Street to be closed and new entrances for both buildings be constructed off North G Street. He also said that the report included sidewalks and curbs to be constructed on both sides of West Harlem between North Main and North G Street. There will be a solar powered lighted stop light installed for the walkway from the YMCA across West Harlem to the Patee Pool. Mr. Rains referenced that a detailed scope of services, terms and conditions are included in IMEG’s Proposal for Service on this project. IMEG will provide these services for a fee of $220,000.

Funding for this project is a combination of Federal, State and local funds. IMEG is anticipating a September 2024 IDOT letting. It was moved by Alderman Bone and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to approve the IMEG Engineering Agreement for services to be provided for $220,000. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw and Conard NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

VI. ORDINANCES

A. 1st Reading

1. 24-002 – Declaration of MFD Surplus Property

Chief Rexroat explained that the department had 18 self-contained breathing apparatus air bottles that they no longer need as they had replaced them with new ones several months ago. They need to declare them surplus in order to donate them to another nearby department. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve Ordinance 24-002 as stated. AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard and Pinedo. NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry 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 February 5th meeting at 6:35 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Alderman Ferry, who was absent.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7191/f/agendas/february_5_2024_council_meeting_minutes_2.pdf