Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met May 6

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 Alderman VanVleet Absent: Alderman Ferry 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 15, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes 

It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to  approve the April 15, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo and VanVleet ABSENT; Alderman Ferry NAY: none MOTION CARRIED. 

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL 

A.Presentations or Citizen Inquiries (all inquiries are limited to 3 minutes per City Ordinance)

B. Consent Agenda (Items on Consent Agenda will not be discussed unless a request is made to remove an item for discussion). 

1. Approval of Bills 

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 

A. BCA Cemetery Walk Request --- Tom Best 

On behalf of the Buchanan Center for the Arts, Tom Best explained that on Wednesday, October 9th the BCA would like to host an “historical walk” in the Old Part of Monmouth Cemetery with actors portraying certain historical people buried in the cemetery. There will be guides leading registered guests of around 20 people per group from one grave site to another. There would a tour in the morning from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. and one in the early evening from  6:00 – 7:00 p.m. The rain date would be October 10th. It was moved by Alderman Bone and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to approve the request by BCA to host a Cemetery Walk on October 9th in the Old Part of the Monmouth Cemetery. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant and Bone NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

B. Lipanda Foundation Special Event Request 

Mayor Davies explained that the Administration had been approached by the Lipanda Foundation to host their festival on South Main Street in Monmouth on June 29th. The Administration sent letters or talked with all the businesses located in the 200 block of South  Main and found no opposition to closing the 200 block from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on June 29th. The actual starting time for the festival would be 5:00 p.m. He then asked Gorette Kupa, President of the Lipanda Foundation to step to the podium to further explain details of the  festival. Ms. Gorette stated that the Lipanda Foundation is a foundation that helps French speaking Congolese immigrants with housing, job placement and language skills. This festival is to celebrate diversity in the community and the Congolese Independence Day in June. There will be music, food and a bar at the event. We have been working with the Clerk’s office to  obtain all the proper licensing and meeting all the requirements for holding this event. It was moved by Alderwoman Twomey and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve closing the 200 block of South Main on June 29th from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for the Lipanda Foundation Festival. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Bone and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED. 

C. ICS Street Closure Request for the 100 Block of North B Street on May 10th CeCe McVey from ICS requested that the school be allowed to block the 100 block of  North B Street in order to host its annual Serenata Drive-thru dinner from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10th to accommodate traffic. It was moved by Alderman VanVleet and seconded by Alderman Grant to approve the above-stated request. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Daw NAY: none ABSENT:  Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED. 

D. Prime Beef Festival Request for 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, September 7, 2024  Josh Oaks on behalf of the Prime Beef Festival committee made the request to hold a 5K Walk/Run and Kids Run on Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. to raise  money for the Prime Beef Festival. The route would be the exact same route that is used for the Riley Color Run and has been reviewed by Chief Switzer. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman Conard to approver the above-stated request. AYE; Aldermen Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw and Conard NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED. 

E. Building and Zoning Report – Director Clark 

✔ The department continues to issue building permits, notices for ordinance  violations, citations and complete rental and solar inspections. 

✔ Under the SCP grant: Bids were awarded to Maple City Construction to demolish two properties at 122 West 8th Avenue and 515 North C Street. Demolition is waiting on abatement contractor inspection. 

✔ Commercial Demolition: Due to snow load, buildings located at 1111 East Jackson and 619 South 2nd were demolished with the intent to rebuild. 

✔ Previously Awarded Demolitions: 122 West 8th and 415 South 4th are 90% completely demolished by Brown Excavation. 

✔ Brownfield Projects: Still waiting on geological test result from the Phase 2 project on the Munson Property. 

✔ Open Projects: ICS construction is continuing with good progress and Dame Fine Coffee kiosk and storage construction are completed.

F. Woodard and curran March Report – Director Jackson 

Updates: 

➣ Laverdiere has completed most of the Phase 1 on West Harlem and the  downtown infrastructure project is almost complete. 

➣ The sewer repairs on North 6th Street are complete which makes it possible to  begin the re-surfacing of North 6th Street between East Broadway and East  Euclid. 

➣ The department is continuing to work through grants for Phase 2 on West  Harlem. 

➣ The EPA has issued an edict that if a water service is not identified lead or is  unknown that the City has to send out letters just for informational purposes. It  is going to be a 17- year project. All the information is on the City website. 

➣ On May 31st, I will be retiring after 37 years. Richard Nelson will be taking my  place.

2 Million Rebuild Illinois Grant: 

Jack Troidl from Woodard and Curran explained that the City had received a 2 million Rebuild Illinois Grant, which the City intended to use for drilling a new well and bid it out twice, but was unable to secure a usable bid. A number of meetings were held with the City and in order to provide adequate water supply to increased production demands an alternate solution was needed. It was decided that building another water treatment plant on the property next to Well #7 would be able to meet the increased production demands. The City met with DCEO to present their problem with the bid for a new well for which the 2 million grant was designated and requested that the grant be used for the building of a new water treatment plant. Mayor Davies added that the City was up against production capabilities with Well #9 and needed to have an increased water supply to meet the increased demand and to grow economically. The City does own the land around Well #7 where the new water treatment plant would be located. DCEO did agree to shift the grant to building a new water treatment plant. G. TIF Commercial Rehab Application – 100 South Main Street 

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that Jason Robins of Robbins Resource at 100 South Main Street requested TIF funds to assist with the installation of four new RTU units on the roof top of 100 South Main Street. The total cost of the rehabilitation work is $62,000.00  and Robbins Resource would be eligible for a TIF reimbursement of 30% or $18,600.00. The Administration recommends approval. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Grant to approve the above-stated application for Robbins Resource. AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard and Pinedo  NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED. 

H. Midwestern Pet Foods TIF Redevelopment Agreement 

According to Administrator Steinbrecher, Midwestern Pet Foods is requesting TIF  incentives for their redevelopment project of replacing the roof and construct of insulated roof  structures at their location at 617 South D Street. The City has agreed to reimburse the  Developer a sum not to exceed $535,655.00 from the Monmouth Main Street TIF district Special Tax Allocation Fund for the Developer’s TIF eligible costs if the agreement is approved by the Council. It is a more traditional TIF rather than commercial. It will take future property taxes and incremental increases will go back into the TIF fund. The Administration is recommending approval of the above-stated agreement. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to approve the TIF Redevelopment Agreement  with Midwestern Pet Foods. AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Daw, Conard and Pinedo NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry

I. Approval of 3-Year Renewal of IAFF Local 1702 Collective Bargaining Agreement Administrator Steinbrecher explained that the contract provides for increases of 5% the first year and 4% in the second and third year. The City also negotiated concessions with the  health insurance with setting limits on what the City contributes to HSA accounts as well as new deductible limits. IAFF has ratified the contract. The Administration is recommending approval. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman Bone to approve the renewal of the 3-Year Contract with IAFF Local 1702 as presented. AYE: Aldermen Grant, Bone, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo and VanVleet NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED. 

VI. OTHER BUSINESS 

There was none to consider. 

VII. ADJOURNMENT 

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to adjourn  the May 6th 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/may_6_2024_council_meeting_minutes.pdf