Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met May 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: Aldermen Jay Grant, Brian Daw, Jim Conard, Juan Pinedo, John VanVleet, Brad Bone Absent: Alderman Kevin Ferry and Alderwoman Susan Twomey Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher, City Clerk Susan Trevor, City Attorney Marcum Spears, Woodard and Curran Public Works Director Brayden Bledsoe, Communications Director Ken Helms, MFD Chief Casey Rexroat, MPD Chief Joe Switzer and Building and Zoning Director Joe Clark

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTE

A. Approval of the April 21, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Grant to approve the Council Meeting Minutes of April 21, 2025 as presented. AYE: Aldermen Grant, Bone, Daw, Conard, Pinedo and VanVleet NAY: none PASS: none ABSENT: Alderman Kevin Ferry and Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

IV. A. PRESENTATIONS or CITIZEN INQUIRIES

Bob Rogers states that he lives on 1st Ave and started by congratulating Mayor Davies and provided some positive feed back on the grant money received for the 200 block of north and south Main Streets. He states that we have several “Russian Roulette” intersections in town with no stop and no yield signs. He would like to see the City do something with some of the uncontrolled intersections to prevent problems. Second Krzystof Socha stepped up to discuss his traffic control measures. The mayor let him know that he was actually on the agenda but that he could go ahead and present if he would like. Mr. Socha went on to say that his wife was involved in a car accident at one of the uncontrolled intersections. He is unfamiliar with the streets as he has not been a resident long. He states there are a lot of uncontrolled intersections from A Street to I Street. Marcum reminds everyone that the rules of the road state that you should yield to the right of way per the Illinois state law. Mr. Socha states that at some of the uncontrolled intersections you can’t see well because of a hill or vehicle parked in the way so he stops at every intersection. Chief Switzer states that it is the responsibility of every driver on the road to be cautious. Mr. Socha asks why there are some intersections that have stop and yield signs if the rules of the road are to yield to the right of way? Chief states that he thinks it depends on the amount of traffic at each intersection. Discussion ensues.

1, Proclamation for National Police Week- May 15th

Mayor Davies read and presented to Chief Switzer a proclamation declaring the week of May 15th National Police Week in the City of Monmouth.

B. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Bills

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

MOTION CARRIED.

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Maple City Centerpiece Project- Sarah Walters

Sarah states she is here to provide an update for the maple leaf sculpture that will be on the square. She states that she has reached her goal and is ready to see what the City’s wishes are for the fountain that will be removed. Lew asks what kind of time frame she will have between the ordering and when it will actually be in. Mrs. Walters states that she is waiting for the square beautification project to be completed so the sculpture can be the final hurrah. Lew states that he is fairly certain that the project will be completed by the end of July. Discussion ensues. Mayor Davies states that the City will get to work on unhooking the plumbing and electrical to the fountain.

No Action was taken on this item at this time.

C. Request for Liquor License- Joan Crain

Mrs. Crain stated that she would like to request the ability to apply for a liquor, tobacco, and gaming license. She states that she wants to be able to sell on and off premise as well as sell some different vapes and tobacco products. Mayor Davies asks where she would be operating the bar. She states she is unsure of the address but that it is right next to the driver’s license facility on Main Street. VanVleet asks will there be consumption on the property because it is a pretty small establishment and there is little parking. He also states the last person that requested a license to be able to sell liquor and vapes, city council told no so that is where he is at currently.

THERE WAS NO MOTION TO PROCEED.

D. Building and Zoning march Report – Director Clark

✓ The Zoning Department continues to issue permits, junk and debris, rental inspections and follow up on all open projects.

✓ OPEN PROJECTS: Demolitions should be finished this week. Beck’s Oil Company will be opening on Monday, May 12th.

E. Woodard and Curran February Report – Director Bledsoe

➢ West Harlem roadway, phase 1 the state has received bids for that project

➢ The water department as of Monday has begun flushing hydrants. Thinking it will take maybe a month. Council requests that we post what areas we are flushing in and when.

➢ Staff anniversaries- Seth McBride-water service tech -5years, Doug Shaffer at water treatment plant-19 years

F. Appointment of the 2025 FOIA Officer

Mayor Davies states that the City Clerk Elect would be the person to handle that.

It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman Bone to approve the appointment of the 2025 FOIA officer.

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

VI. ORDINANCES

A. 1st Reading

1. 25-010, Amending Creation/Composition of MPD

 Mayor Davies requests that Chief Switzer present what the ordinance is addressing.

Chief explains that it will amend how many sergeants they currently have and move that to the patrol officers making it 14 so that if the school resource officer request goes through, that 14th patrol officer would be used to fill that position. It was moved by Alderman Grant and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to approve Ordinance 25-010 that will amend the composition of the police department. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, and Bone NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry and Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS

Mayor Davies presented Susan Trevor with a plaque for her 24 years of service and recognized Alderwoman Susan Twomey for her 11 years of service with the plaque to be presented at a later date.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to adjourn the meeting sine die at 6:25 PM. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Pinedo, VanVleet, Grant, Bone, and Daw. NAY: none ABSENT: Alderman Ferry and Alderwoman Twomey MOTION CARRIED.

IX. SWEARING IN OF NEW OF NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS AND RECONVENE

Mayor Davies invited Judge Standard to perform the swearing in for the newly elected

officials as follows: Mayor Davies- Re-elect Mayor, Melissa Teel-City Clerk elect, Roger TeelFirst Ward Alderman elect, Juan Pinedo- Re-elect Third Ward Alderman, John VanVleet- Reelect Fourth Ward Alderman,

X. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Pinedo to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 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_5_2025_council_meeting_minutes.pdf