Galesburg Reporter

City of Monmouth City Council met Sept. 15

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 Melissa Teel called the roll and those answering Present were: Aldermen Roger Teel, Brad Bone, Scott Weber, Brian Daw, Jim Conard and John VanVleet

Absent: Aldermen Pinedo and Ferry Also Present: Mayor Rod Davies, City Clerk Melissa Teel, City Attorney Marcum Spears, City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher, Communications Director Ken Helms, MFD Chief Casey Rexroat, MPD Chief Joe Switzer, Public Works Director Brayden Bledsoe and Building and Zoning Director Joe Clark

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

A. Approval of the September 2, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes as presented

It was moved by Alderman Conard and seconded by Alderman Bone to approve the minutes. AYE: Aldermen Teel, Bone, Weber, Daw, Conard and VanVleet NAY: None

MOTION CARRIED.

III. PRESENTATIONS

A. Robert Purchase was present to address a quiet zone question for the South end of town. He stated that he knows that Galesburg has quiet zones and wondered if it was something the City of Monmouth can do. He stated that you can’t have your windows open due to the loud horns which also means you can’t get fresh air. Mayor Davies stated that there have been a couple of seminars that the City have attended and that it would cost over a million dollars to get it completed as there are a number of things that have to be changed to make it a quiet zone. Railroad arms would have to be extended and medians put in but that we would continue to look into the possibility of a quiet zone.

B. Andrea Monroe was present to address the council members about the creation of a Special Services Area (SSA). Andrea handed out a map and drawing of the areas that would be included in the SSA. She explained that this would be helpful in keeping the downtown area beautiful after all the work is completed and that the cost would be split between The City of Monmouth, Warren County and the businesses that have store fronts on the square would also be included in the cost. The money would be collected through property taxes and used to pay for the contractor that wins the bid.

The bid would include a year-round contractor that would take care of the growing season as well as the snow removal. Andrea reached out to several contractors, but most said they did not have the equipment or simply did not want to bid the job. One contractor submitted a bid for $65,000 so far. They have been to several committee meetings with Warren County and will be going to a board meeting with them to get approval on their $15,000 for the contract and they would ask that The City also pay $15,000 towards the SSA. Andrea stated she wasn’t sure if they needed to make a motion or ask to be on the agenda to have this SSA be considered. Administrator Steinbrecher also spoke up and stated that he had also been working with a group of business owners on the creation of the SSA so it is something that has been worked on for some time. He also explained that the center circle of the square would be included as there was possibly some confusion as to whether it would be or not. He stated that the quadrant parking as well as the 100 blocks of North and South Main and East and West Broadway parking areas would still be maintained by the City Street crew so those would not be included. He stated that the focus would be on snow and ice control on the sidewalks around the square as well as the 100 blocks coming off the square. It would also include Market Alley and the alley by the library. Mayor Davies stated they would not have time to get a contract together before winter so with all the new concrete the City is planning to hire a contractor to maintain it for this winter and it is out for bid currently.

C. The Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation was read and declared by Mayor Davies and he invited everyone to help celebrate this month by going to the celebration on the 20th of September.

D. The Magic Festival Proclamation was read and declared by Mayor Davies and he informed everyone of the Great Nicola Magic Festival that will be held at the end of the month at the History Museum.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Bills

It was moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Teel to approve the bills as presented. AYE: Aldermen Bone, Weber, Daw, Conard, VanVleet and Teel.

NAY: None

MOTION CARRIED.

V. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A. Chief Switzer presented the Police Department August report as follows: 61 arrests were made, 148 citations were issued, 3606 calls came into dispatch, 1735 calls were handled by MPD, 3366 calls were dispatched out by the dispatch center, 15 accidents were handled, and the officers worked 18 grant hours. The car show was a success with no incidents to report. All officers except those on vacation worked at the car show from 6am to 10 pm. MPD and OSF conducted a missing child exercise at OSF. Faculty and staff at Monmouth College were given information on procedures for ALICE and there will be future training scheduled for Monmouth College. Monmouth College walkout was a success with no incidents. Officer Salemi graduated and started his FTO training. Chief Switzer met with Enterprise Car Leasing at their request regarding squad car leasing. Officers assisted with the Riley Run and the Warren County Prime Beef Festival Pageant. Officers continued with state mandated training. Several squad cars were taken in for routine maintenance. Several officers will be attending ballistic shield training and several  that will be attending field training officer certification. An officer will attend firearms instructor certification. Monmouth College and Monmouth Roseville homecoming parades are also coming up.

B. Chief Rexroat presented the Fire Department August report as follows: there were 138 calls for the month which comes to 1065 for this year. MFD attended the car show and provided a standby with an engine, a UTV and 4 firefighters with no issues. The new fire safety trailer has been used at a couple of different places so far. It was taken to the Prime Beef Festival, Touch a Truck, and to the Warren Achievement Carnival. Work anniversaries include Ryan Armstrong-19 Years, Devin Wade- 3 years, Kyle Martin and Tim Lafollette- 2 years. There was an opening event for the new training site coordinated by Andrea Monroe with a ribbon cutting. Firefighters Melton and Potter started academy the prior week.

C. Administrator Steinbrecher spoke about the $960,000 the City received back in April of 2024 through Eric Sorenson’s office specifically for the replacement of lead service water lines. Since it is federal funds, the City has to go through a request for qualifications process to solicit statements of qualifications from engineers. It was distributed to about 6 firms, and we received 2 statements back. Lew stated that Woodard and Curran best fit the valuation based on the evaluation by the City. He explained that he would recommend the Council’s acceptance of Woodard and Curran to be the engineer and authorize Lew to negotiate a professional services contract that would include scope of services and fee.

It was moved by Alderman VanVleet and seconded by Alderman Teel to approve the recommendation for engineering services. AYE: Aldermen Weber, Daw, Conard, VanVleet, Teel and Bone NAY: None

MOTION CARRIED.

D. Administrator Steinbrecher explained that this is a follow up to the motion made two weeks ago to proceed with a purchase agreement with EKS Futures, LLC DBA Quality Roofing Pro. This is for the purchase of 600 S Main Street, which is the old public safety building. The appraisal came in at $68,500 less an exchange credit for 413 S Main which they currently own and will be used by the City for storage for the police department. He explained that there would also be an escrow of $20,000 to allow the buyers to separate the power from the well house that is owned by the City. There is also a $5,000 credit for the cost of 2 steel doors installed by them which the police department will need to secure evidence for storage. Lew stated that he would ask the Council to approve the purchase agreement.

It was moved by Alderman VanVleet and seconded by Alderman Bone to approve the purchase agreement. AYE: Aldermen Daw, Conard, VanVleet, Teel, Bone and Weber. NAY: None

MOTION CARRIED.

E. City Attorney Marcum Spears explained that Alderman VanVleet had contacted him in interest of an empty lot directly behind his home to the east that is not owned by the City. Spears explained that upon his search there is a mowing lien for $100 and a demolition lien in the amount of $17,100. Alderman VanVleet has requested a waive of the lien and it is up to council to decide as he is an alderman. VanVleet explains that if he doesn’t buy it, it will sit empty, and he plans to put his golf cart business back there. The other property his sister would like to build a house on to stay in for when she is back visiting.

It moved by Alderman Daw and seconded by Alderman Teel to authorize Administrator Steinbrecher to waive up to 80% of the total cost of the liens. AYE: Aldermen Conard, Teel, Weber and Daw. NAY: Alderman Bone

MOTION CARRIED.

F. City Administrator Steinbrecher explained that the redevelopment agreement with Jose Jimenez is to renovate 3 residential rental units, and it is similar to the other TIF agreements they have approved in the past. Lew explained that he would recommend approval of the agreement.

It was moved by Alderman VanVleet and seconded by Alderman Teel to approve the redevelopment agreement. AYE: Aldermen VanVleet, Teel, Bone, Weber, Daw and Conard. NAY: None

MOTION CARRIED.

VI. ORDINANCES

A. 25-018 Amending Schedule II of Chapter 77 Entitled “Restricted Parking”- Chief Switzer explained that there was a parking ordinance passed back in 2015 to establish the residential parking areas around the Monmouth Roseville High School.

There was a complaint recently about students parking in those residential areas. He explained that the ordinance was not accurate and that it had 2 locations listed on the ordinance in the 400 block of W 2nd Ave and the 500 block that are governed by a different ordinance. He explained that this ordinance was just fixing the language to correct the errors and change the parking hours to no parking during school hours (7:30am-4:00pm). It was moved by Alderman Bone and seconded by Alderman VanVleet to pass the ordinance.

AYE: Aldermen Teel, Bone, Weber, Daw, Conard and VanVleet NAY: None

MOTION CARRIED.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

A. Alderman Daw moved to adjourn the September 15th meeting at 6:55 p.m. and Alderman Teel seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote with the exception of Aldermen Pinedo and Ferry who were absent.

https://www.cityofmonmouth.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7191/f/agendas/september_15_2025_council_meeting_minutes.pdf