Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met July 1

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, Alderwoman Susan Twomey, Aldermen Brian Daw, Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo and John VanVleet Absent: Aldermen Brad Bone and Kevin 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, Richard Nelson, 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 June 17, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the June 17, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Grant, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo and VanVleet NAY: none

ABSENT: Aldermen Bone and Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

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

There were none to be heard.

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

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Building and Zoning June Report – Director Clark

✓ Brownfield Project – The Munson Property on South Main and West 6th Avenue had the Phase II geological survey completed on March 15th. The City received the completed 373-page report on June 7th. The report concluded the property can continue to be used as an industrial site.

✓ Open Projects – The I.C.S. HVAC, siding, sprinkler system and electrical installations continue with good progress.

B. Woodard and Curran May Report – Director Nelson

• The Downtown utility project is complete.

• The North 6th Street project between East Broadway and East Euclid is pretty much completed with just setting the manholes left.

• Monmouth College paid for re-surfacing East Clinton from North Sixth Street to the cul-de-sac by the Football Field.

• The paint for striping City streets was delivered today and the striping should begin sometime next week.

• Porter Brothers Construction started the parking lot on South 1st at the Old Auction House site today.

• The Water and Sewer Department did a total of 125 work orders this month with the Water Treatment plant averaging 3.2 million gallons per day and 99 million gallons for the month. The Wastewater Plant averaged 6.5 million gallons per day with a total of 200 million gallons for the month.

Mayor Davies added that the City met with the IEPA and they agreed to assist the City financially with identifying lead service lines in homes going to the street at no cost to the City.

This will free up the 3 million that the City had received that now can be applied towards the actual replacement of the lead lines.

C. Sale of Vacant City Lot at 416 South 4th Street

Jason Robbins, who owns the Wyatt Earp house, has approached the City about purchasing the vacant lot at 416 South 4th Street, which is two doors from the house. There is another lot with old playground equipment that is owned by the School District and Jason has approached them about purchasing that property as well. His plan is to re-create Tombstone along with developing the Wyatt Earp home as a bed and breakfast. He has offered $5,000 to purchase the City’s vacant lot. The Administration has included a claw back clause that if he doesn’t develop the Wyatt Earp property and the recreation of Tombstone within 5 years, the City would have the option to buy the vacant lot back at the original price. Administrator Steinbrecher recommended accepting Jason’s offer of $5,000 to purchase the City owned vacant lot at 416 South 4th Street. It was moved by Alderman VanVleet and seconded by Alderman Daw to accept the offer of $5,000 from Jason Robbins for the City owned vacant lot at 416 South 1st Street. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet and Grant NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Bone and Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

VI. RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution 24-003, Submit Referendum Question on November 5, 2024 Election Whether City Clerk should be an Appointed Position

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that City Clerk Trevor has announced that she is retiring next year at the end of April. This created the opportunity to consider changing the City Clerk position to an appointed staff position. Making the City Clerk an appointed staff position is an excellent opportunity to combine the part-time Clerk position with the existing full-time Administrative Assistant position to create a full-time administrative position assigned Clerk responsibilities. It will allow the City to appoint a qualified professional to perform the duties and requirements of the position as a result of a higher salary range. Due to limited staff people currently working in City Hall, this will also significantly improve the proficiency and efficiency of governmental procedures in a cost-effective manner. In order to convert the City Clerk from an elected part-time position to an appointed full-time position the City Council must adopt a resolution placing this question on the November 2024 ballot to this to take effect upon the expiration of the elected Clerk’s position on April 30, 2025. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderwoman Twomey to approve the above-stated Resolution 24-003.

AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant and Alderwoman Twomey NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Bone and Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

B. Resolution 24-004, Citizen Lake Campground Rates

Per the discussion at the last Council meeting the City Attorney drafted Resolution 24-004 to authorize the Council to increase the Citizens Lake Campground rates as of the 2025 camping season to:

 RV: 1 night -- $ 40 with sewer and electric

 RV: 1 week -- $135 with sewer and electric

 RV: 1 month -- $450 with sewer and electric

 Tent: 1 night -- $15

 Dump Station Fee -- $15 for non-site campers

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

VII. ORDINANCES

A. 1st Reading

1. 24-013, Amending Chapter 98.18 of the Municipal Code

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that the current code allows a citizen to drive on grassy areas and across the earthen dam to access their fishing sites. However, the advice of IDNR and the engineer who inspected our earthen dam was that this was not good for the structure and durability of the earthen dam; therefore, this amendment removes this exception to allow citizens to drive on the grass or across the earthen dame to their fishing site. Alderman VanVleet expressed his opinion that there were limited areas to be able for older or disabled people to get close to a fishing site. However, during discussion it was brought out that there is a handicapped fishing dock, along with two boat ramps down to the lake. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve Ordinance 24-013 as presented. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, Grant, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw and Conard NAY: Alderman VanVleet ABSENT: Aldermen Bone and Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION

A. Per Illinois Statute 5ILCS 120/2 to Consider Sale of Property.

1. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Grant to go into Executive Session at 6:25 p.m. to consider possible Sale of Property. AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Grant, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard and Pinedo NAY: none

ABSENT: Aldermen Bone and Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

 2. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to return to Regular Session at 6:35 p.m. AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Grant, Alderwoman Twomey, Aldermen Daw, Conard and Pinedo NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Bone and Ferry MOTION CARRIED..

IX. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to consider.

X. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderwoman VanVleet to adjourn the July 1st meeting at 6:35 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Aldermen Bone and Ferry, who were absent.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7191/f/agendas/july_1_2024_council_meeting_minutes.pdf