Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Aug. 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: Alderman Jay Grant, Alderwoman Susan Twomey (remote), Aldermen Brian Daw, Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo and John VanVleet Absent: Aldermen 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 July15, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the July 15, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Grant, Alderwoman Twomey (remote), 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)

1. Dennis Henrichs explained that he had a neighbor, who was burning in his burn barrel and the smoke was very thick and drifted into his yard. Mr. Henrichs wanted to know what were the burning restrictions in Monmouth. Chief Rexroat explained that the burning hours were from Noon to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and no burning on Sundays. Only yard waste could be burned and it must be in a burn barrel. Mr. Henrichs was concerned about his rights to be protected from excessive smoke. Chief Rexroat responded that each incident is evaluated as to the excessiveness of the smoke and if it is determined that it is too much, the fire department will extinguish the fire.. City Attorney Spears suggested that perhaps Mr. Henrichs could talk to his neighbor to work out a solution acceptable to both parties.

2. A Monmouth College SOFIA student introduced a group of students from MC, who are participating in the SOFIA program. Their main focus is researching and assisting with the lead pipe service replacement in the City. They want to give back to the City through their research to secure funding through grant processing for this project. Mayor Davies thanked them and directed them to Woodard and Curran Public Works Director Nelson.

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

MOTION CARRIED.

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. TIF Application from Midwestern Pet Foods for Demolition of former Western Stoneware Building

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that Midwestern Pet Foods has requested to enter into a TIF Redevelopment Agreement for their project of demolishing the old Western Stoneware Building located at 521 West 6th Avenue. The total cost of the project is $332,379.11 and the expenses are TIF eligible. There will be no public tax dollars involved. The Administration is recommending approval. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve Midwestern Pet Foods TIF Redevelopment Agreement. AYE: Alderwoman Twomey (remote), Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet and Grant NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Bone and Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

B. La Pequenita Building Rehabilitation Application

Ray Gillen, owner of La Pequenita, applied to the Commercial Building Rehabilitation Program in order to repair the front wall of his building, which is leaning. The wall needs to be tuck pointed and the cost is $8,000 of which Mr. Gillen is entitled to 30% of the cost or $2,400 when the project is completed and proof of payment is submitted. The Administration is recommending approval of the above-stated request. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve Mr. Gillen’s application to the Commercial Building Rehabilitation Program for reimbursement of 30% of the cost of his repair to his building. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant and Alderwoman Twomey (remote). NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Bone and Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

C. Field of Dreams Lease Approval

Mayor Davies explained that for a number of years the City has leased property to the Field of Dreams at Citizen’s Lake Recreational Area for the operation of their youth baseball program. However, the lease has expired and it is time to renew it. Administrator Steinbrecher said that it is a 15-year lease at $1.00 per year with the same terms and conditions. A provision was included that would allow the Field of Dreams to rent out the field for baseball or softball purposes for a rental fee not to exceed $50. All the maintenance is done by the Field of Dreams organization. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve the renewal of the Field of Dreams lease as presented. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Alderwoman Twomey (remote) and Alderman Daw NAY; none ABSENT: Aldermen Bone and Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

D. Courtyard Estates 5K Walk for Alzheimer’s Request

Sylvia O’Daniel, Executive Director of Courtyard Estates, requested permission to hold a 5K Walk for Alzheimers on October 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The route would start at Courtyard Estates and continue down the entire length of Sunnylane to East 11th and then return to Courtyard Estates the same route. Chief Switzer has reviewed the route and given his approval. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman Conard to approve the request and route by Courtyard Estates to hold a 5k Walk for Alzheimer’s on October 5th. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Alderwoman Twomey (remote), Aldermen Daw and Conard NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Bone and Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

E. Centerpiece Option Proposed for Public Square Fountain – Sarah Walters

Sarah Walters from Market Alley Wines presented a proposal from a number of downtown business interests to place a three-dimensional stainless steel art sculpture with a large rotating maple leaf in the middle of a circular seal with Monmouth across the top of the seal and The Maple City across the bottom. A local artisan, Gabe Stevens from Biggsville designed the metal cast sculpture. This sculpture would replace the current fountain. Sarah assured the Council that the entire cost would come from private funding and would not be an expense to the City. The Mayor thanked her for her presentation and said that the City would take it under advisement.

F. Building and Zoning July Report – Director Clark

✓ 3 new garages that were approved by the Council are: 715 North. 6th; 1203 Lincoln Road; and 122 South E Street

✓ Grants – There is $125,440 left in the Strong Communities Program and a portion of this fund will be used to demolish 314 West 3rd that was totaled from a fire

✓ Open Projects – ICS Gymnasium, Smithfield and Beck Oil Truck Stop

✓ 602 N. C Street that was scheduled for demolition will stay on the tax rolls as it has been purchased and is being rehabilitated.

G/H. Woodard and Curran June and Annual Report – Greg Frieden

Greg Frieden, Woodard and Curran Operations and Management Area Manager presented a combined June and Annual Report for Woodard and Curran. He said that although Andy Jackson has retired, he is still acting in an advisory capacity. Safety has always been a number one concern for W and C and our 11th year was just concluded without any injuries or incidents. At the end of the fiscal year the Customer Service Office collected $7,942,850 for water, sewer, infrastructure, recycling, garbage and Smithfield service. As we reviewed the cost summary, the operations and maintenance costs came in $24,952 over the contract budget of $3,219,990. Rising costs in water treatment chemicals, LP gas, contract laboratory testing and fuel were the primary line items affected, as a result of inflationary impact. Greg then turned the presentation over to Don Taul, from Woodard and Curran. Don reviewed the completed and current capital projects.

The Completed projects were as follows:

1) North 6th from Broadway to East Euclid water main replacement.

2) Downtown water main and sewer replacements in the quadrants.

3) Phase I of the water main replacement on West Harlem from North Main to G Street.

4) WWTP disinfection project.

The Current projects are as follows:

1) Phase II on West Harlem from G Street to the Bypass and we have just received funding for that project.

2) Dowtown sewer replacement for which we are currently seeking funding.

3) The West Harlem water treatment plant is under design.

4) The re-routing of the sewer on North 5th Street is under design now.

5) Creating a fiscal sustainable plan as part of the dis-infection project.

6) LTCP Plan, Phase 3 for the combined sewer overflow is being worked on.

Mayor Davies thanked Woodard and Curran for helping the City obtain $12 million in funding. Don Taul said that they asked for $2,747,000 in funding for the lead service line replacements and did receive that amount to go towards a two-year replacement of lead service lines identified in the 17-year plan. That grant along with the funds secured by Congressman Sorenson and the IEPA/USPA GROW grants will make a considerable contribution to replacing the lead service lines in Monmouth. Greg added that the IEPA/USPA grant is a forgivable grant. He also talked about all the value-added services the Woodard and Curran provide to the City that help with environmental compliance. All of these services combine to highlight the value of the Woodard and Curran partnership with the City.

I. Approval of MFD Station 2 Air Conditioner Bids

Chief Rexroat reminded the Council that several weeks ago the air conditioner at Station 2 quit working. Fortunately, a temporary repair got it working again but the recommendation was that it needed to be replaced. Three bids were received and IHC submitted the lowest bid of $3,850. Chief Rexroat recommended accepting this bid. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman Conard to accept the bid of $3,850 from IHC to replace the air conditioner at Station 2. AYE: Alderman Grant, Alderwoman Twomey (remote), Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo and VanVleet NAY: none ABSENT: Aldermen Bone and Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

J. Amendment of to Engineering Agreement and Change Order to Laverdiere Contract for Additional Water Main Replacement in Public Square

Administrator Steinbrecher reminded the Council that the City had received $1.2 million dollars from the COVID 19 reimbursement fund. The City earmarked those funds to replace the water main under the Public Square as it was old and had leaks and we wanted to have it done in conjunction with the Downtown Streetscape Project. However, since we did not know how much the bids would come in at, we kept out the replacement of the water mains under the 100 blocks of West Broadway and North Main Street, which had not had any significant problems at this point. After the replacement of the water main under the Public Square, it was determined that there was enough money to proceed with replacing the other two water mains. Laverdiere has agreed to replace the two sections at the same unit price as the other water mains; therefore, we need pass an amendment to engage Woodard and Curron to design and oversee the construction of the water main replacement. We also need to add a change order to the initial agreement with Laverdiere for the water main replacement in the 100 blocks of West Broadway and North Main Street. It was moved by Alderwoman Twomey (remote) and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to approve the above-stated amendment with Woodard and Curran and the change order with Laverdiere as presented. AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Grant, Alderwoman Twomey (remote), Aldermen Daw, Conard and Pinedo NAY: none ABSENT: Bone and Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to consider

VII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Grant to adjourn the August 5th meeting at 6:50 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/august_5_2024_council_meeting_minutes.pdf