Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met April 15

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, Kevin Ferry and Alderman 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 April 1, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve the April 1, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Grant, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Conard, Pinedo and VanVleet NAY: none PASS: Aldermen Bone, Daw and Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

A. Presentations or Citizen Inquiries

1. Cassandra Nolaska, who is V-P of Alpha Xi Delta at Monmouth College addressed the Council to ask them to re-address the placement of a stop sign at the intersection of South 8th Street and East Broadway where a large number of college students cross East Broadway each day to attend classes on campus. She along with a number of other students felt that the Council had not taken seriously their request at a prior Council meeting. She wanted to remind them again of the concerns that she and other students felt about crossing East Broadway at this intersection. They feel that many vehicles on East Broadway do not follow the speed limit and do not slow down for students waiting to cross the street to the campus. There was an accident at this site in 2023. There will be more students using this crossing next Fall as two fraternity residences are being re-located to houses next to this intersection.

2. Tom Best of 600 North A Street addressed the Council with his concern for a sidewalk next to his house. Two large trees on the boulevard, which the City did come and remove, caused the sidewalk to buckle and crack. There are many seniors who walk on this sidewalk to go to Walgreens and these cracks are a definite tripping hazard. It is an 8-foot section of sidewalk. He received an estimate for $1,250 to replace it. He had been informed that the City had a cost sharing program for the replacement of sidewalks of 40% and was wondering if the City could raise its share to 50%. He was informed that the City’s ordinance does state that the City’s cost sharing is 50%. Director Clark asked Mr. Best to stop by his office and he would guide him through the process.

3. Several other students addressed the Council stating the same concerns as Ms. Nolaska and asked for the Council to place a stop sign at intersection on East Broadway.

B. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. MFD March Report – Chief Rexroat

The Department responded to 118 calls in the month of March

There was a fire on South B Street this past week, which the crew put out quickly and there were no injuries.

Assistant Chiefs Morefield and Spears along with Firefighter Osborne attended an Active Threats class in Roseville along with several other fire departments, which allowed them to collaborate with others on capabilities and strengths of each department.

The Department hosted a class at the North Fire Station on the Principles of Leadership for Fire Officers. Around 30 people attended the class.

All three shifts toured the Americold Storage to familiarize themselves with the fire protection features at the plant.

The Department hosted a number of Boy Scouts to assist them with earning one of their Merit Badges.

B. MPD March Report – Chief Switzer

• In March the Department made 44 MPD arrests; issued 107 citations; had 1,443 MPD calls; had 2,995 Dispatch calls; responded to 12 accidents and worked 46 grant hours. Officers spent 30 hours in Court on criminal and traffic cases.

• The Department hosted a three-day Animal Control Shelter Technician Class, which certified Josh Strong our Animal Control Officer, to be able to care for animal shelters. Josh is also certified in basic animal control techniques.

• Office candidate testing was conducted, which resulted in the department hiring two candidates who qualified on all the testing. The two new officers are Giselda Rico and Elay Galdamez-Santos. They will start the Police Academy on the 22nd.

• As Chief, I attended the quarterly Mobile Training meeting in East Moline.

• The Mayor, City Administrator and myself attended a meeting with the Monmouth Townhomes owners.

• Shelby Brobowski, my administrative assistant, attended several webinars on the Open Meetings Act and FOIA requirements.

Alderman Ferry expressed his appreciation on behalf of the M-R High School students for the Support that the department gives to the students when leaving and returning from contests.

C. Approval of Demolition Bids for 108 W. 8th Avenue and 515 North C Street Director Clark explained that Bids for the demolition of 108 W. 8th Avenue and 515 North C Street were opened at City Hall on April 10th. Maple City Construction submitted the low bids of $7,720 for 108 W. 8th Avenue and $19,640 for 515 North C Street. The Administration is recommending acceptance of these bids. It was moved by Alderman Bone and seconded by Alderman Ferry to approve the above-stated bids by Maple City Construction. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet, Grant and Bone NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

VI. ORDINANCES

A. 1st Reading

1. 24-005, Amending the FY 2023-2024 Municipal Budget

City Administrator Steinbrecher explained this a financial housekeeping matter with four minor adjustments as follows:

1) The City received grant funds that were not included in the 2023-2024 budget. These funds were used for Capital projects.

2) In the Debt Service Revenue Fund, as a precautionary measure, $140,000 of the Water-Sewer Fund was transferred into that fund. We don’t believe the City is going over budget, but is being pro-active in case it did go over budget..

3) The 6th Street TIF District EAV was higher than anticipated with an adjusted amount of $30,000, which came from property tax revenue collected from Fareway.

4) The Main Street TIF District economic growth was greater than anticipated by $98,000.

As a result of these adjustments, it is necessary to amend the FY 2023-2024 Budget.

It was moved by Alderman VanVleet and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to approve the above-stated Ordinance 24-005 as presented. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet, Grant, Bone and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

2. Ordinance 24-006, Granting Variance for Detached Garage – 715 N. 6th Street

3. Ordinance 24-007, Granting Variance for Detached Garage – 1203 Lincoln Rd.

4. Ordinance 24-008, Granting Variance for Detached Garage – 122 South E St.

Director Clark explained that a Public Hearing was held for all three of the above requests for setback variances and there were no objections. The ZBA Board is recommending approval to the Council of the above three ordinances. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the above-stated ordinances as presented. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Daw NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

B. 2nd Reading

1. 20-004, FY 2024-2025 Budget

Mayor Davies explained that when presented at the prior Council Meeting, there were only enough aldermen present for five votes and six votes were necessary to pass the ordinance; therefore, it has been brought back for a second reading. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve Ordinance 24-004, FY 2024-2025 Budget. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Ferry, VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw and Conard NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION

A. Per Illinois Statute 5ILCS 120/2 to Consider Collective Bargaining

1. It was moved by Alderman Ferry and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to go into Executive Session at 6:45 p.m. to consider Collective Bargaining. AYE: Aldermen Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, Ferry and VanVleet NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

2. It was moved by Alderman Ferry and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to return to Regular Session at 7:00 p.m. AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo and Ferry NAY: none MOTION CARRIED.

VIII. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to consider

IX. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Ferry to adjourn the April 15th meeting at 7:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7191/f/agendas/april_15_2024_council_meeting_minutes.pdf