Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Aug. 19

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, Brian Daw, Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo and John VanVleet Absent: Alderwoman Twomey 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 August 5, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman Conard to approve the August 5, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. AYE: Aldermen Grant, Daw, Conard, Pinedo and VanVleet NAY: none PASS: Alderman Bone

ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

IV. PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

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

1. Andrew Himpsl, a student at Monmouth College, explained that he is interested in starting a Young Republicans group that would focus on community service to the City. He asked for direction as to what projects the group could help with. City Attorney Spears responded that perhaps contacting some non-profit groups such as Strom Center or asking the Chamber of Commerce for some suggestions might prove more beneficial. Alderman Conard suggested contacting Randi Reynolds in the County Clerk’s office as she may be able to provide some contacts within the local Republican organization.

2. Proclamations

a. Mayor Davies read a proclamation declaring September 15 – October 15 as National Hispanic Month.

b. Mayor Davies then read a proclamation declaring the month of September as Workforce Development Month and presented the proclamation to Bob Pinney from the Workforce Development office.

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 Pinedo to approve the bills as presented. AYE:, Aldermen Bone, Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet and Grant

NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Monmouth College Homecoming Expanded Parade Route Approval – Meredith McGary

Miss McGary explained that the college would like to extend the parade route farther down East Broadway to include more of the community in the parade. The parade would start at South 2nd Street, turn onto East Broadway and conclude at North 11th Street. Lineup would begin at 10:00 a.m. with the parade starting at 11:30 and ending around 12:30 p.m. on October 5th. Chief Switzer indicated that he approved the extended route. It was moved by Alderman Bone and seconded by Alderman Grant to approve the extended parade route for the Monmouth College Homecoming Parade. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant and Bone NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Ferry

MOTION CARRIED.

B. MFD July Report – Chief Rexroat

The Department responded to 152 calls in July.

Training was held for various incidents such as hazardous materials responses, responding to mental health issues as well as EMS.

Firefighter Osborne and Mangieri attended a class in Peoria that is part of a series of classes to obtain their certification to be a part of the Illinois Technical Rescue Team.

The Department was present for the 4th of July Fly-in Breakfast and on stand-by for the 4th of July Fireworks. When being on site for big events in Monmouth, the department meets prior to the event with the MPD to have a pre-determined response for any unexpected incidents.

The Y.M.C.A. Day Camp visited the North fire station on two separate days due to the number of kids involved. They had a great experience learning about firefighting.

Engine 4 and Ladder 20 passed their annual preventive testing.

Ladder 40 ladder system was checked by an outside technician and passed its testing.

Engine 23 is having an issue and will be out of service for several weeks.

The annual testing on our STBA’s showed there were several parts that had to be replaced at a cost of $600 for each part, which made the testing more expensive than usual. The replacement of these parts is essential as the STBA’s are a very critical part of a firefighter’s equipment.

The training center props is still being customized, but is very near completion.

The removal of the asphalt and replacing it with concrete at Station 2 is complete and looks great.

This month marked service anniversaries for Brian Morefield with 26 years, Ralph Peeler with 20 years, Devin Wade with 2 years and firefighters Martin and Lafollette ending their probationary period.

Alderman Bone asked the age of Engine 23 and was told it is 21 years old. He asked if the City should be looking to replace the engine. Mayor Davies responded that to replace a fire engine is around an $800,000 expenditure and there currently is no money in the budget for such an expenditure due to so many major capital improvement projects along with pension requirements. There is also the loss of around $250,000 in our annual budget due to the Governor’s signature on the law removing the 1% grocery tax. Alderman Bone stated that he felt that purchasing a new fire engine is a life safety issue and should be a priority.

C. MPD July Report – Chief Switzer

● In the month of July there were: 62 MPD Arrests, 107 Citations, 1184 MPD Calls, 2741 Dispatch Calls, 22 MPD Accidents responded to, 54 Grant hours worked and 24 hours spent by officers in Court for numerous traffic and criminal cases.

● As Chief, I attended a WMOI Community Forum.

● MPD met with the WCPBF Committee to co-ordinate response plans for the Prime Beef Festival.

● MPD met with the flock Safety Automated License Readers company. The City will have a total of 4 cameras that will provide information on numerous traffic and criminal offenses. Installation should be in the next several months.

● Mandated staff training continues.

Alderman Bone asked if the department had considered voluntary camera registration by residents to assist with providing information for criminal offenses. Chief Switzer said he was aware of such a program, but he thought there were some technical issues that would have to be overcome in order to implement it.

D. Reroofing bids for the Old City Hall

 Administrator Steinbrecher informed the Council that it was discovered that in order to protect the old City Hall for future development that it would need to have a new roof. There were two bids submitted by Dowers Roofing and Riddell Roofing with the Dowers bid being the lowest at $52,487.00. This price did not include the removal or hoisting of any equipment off the roof, which would be an additional charge. Administrator Steinbrecher did not think this was a critical point and the Administration is recommending approval of the low bid from Dowers Roofing. It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Bone to accept the low bid of $52,487.00 from Dowers Roofing to reroof the old City Hall building. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant and Bone NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

E. Renewal of Mayoral appointments of the Police Pension Board

Mayor Davies presented Dan Daily and Mike Jurgens’ names for renewal of their twoyear terms. The new term would be from 2024-2026. It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Grant to approve the above-stated renewal appointments of Dan Daily and Mike Jurgens to the Police Pension Board. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Bone and Daw NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

F. No Parking – 406 S. 3rd St. on September 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Administrator Steinbrecher explained that Jason Robbins had requested to have no parking in front of the Wyatt Earp birthplace at 406 S. 3rd Street on September 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as he is holding an open house for the public. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve the above-stated request. AYE: Aldermen Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Bone, Daw and Conard NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

G. Redevelopment Agreement with Midwestern Pet Foods/Two Brothers Property

Midwestern Pet Foods is planning on demolishing the former Western Stoneware building based upon the availability of TIF incentives provided by the city, with an investment of approximately $332,379.11. The City has agreed to reimburse the Developer a sum not to exceed $332,279.11 from the Monmouth Main Street TIF district Special Tax Allocation fund for the Developer’s TIF eligible costs. The developer will be removing contaminated material  prior to the demolition. This will be a performance-based agreement and there will no tax dollars involved. The reimbursement to the developer of the 95% of the annual “net” incremental increase in real estate tax revenues will be derived from tax parcels owned by the Developer. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve the Redevelopment Agreement with Midwestern Per Foods/Two Brother Property as presented. AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Grant, Brone, Daw, Conard and Pinedo NAY: none ABSENT: Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Ferry MOTION CARRIED.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS

There was none to consider

VII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Conard to adjourn the August 19th meeting at 6:35 p.m. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Alderwoman Twomey and Alderman Ferry, who were absent.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7191/f/agendas/august_19_2024_council_meeting_minutes.pdf