Rock Island Today

City of Keithsburg Council met June 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Pledge of Allegiance

Alderman Physically Present: Gary Fues, Bill Pinger, Donnie Cox, Ronnie Brock, Don Truitt and Lisa Wessels.

Also Present: Treasurer-Cindy Diehl, Clerk-Terri Gibson, Streets-George Lyle, Campground-Carolyn Wuerzburger and WS Operator –Dave Maynard and Bill Pinger, Jr. Msa Grant Updates: Steve Haring and Chris Cooper were present to give the updates.

• Last month Steve Haring (MSA Engineering) mentioned there was a grant opportunity available for our water and wastewater systems. However, a preliminary study on the treatment plant would need to be completed prior to applying. He had also explained there was a search grant that could possibly pay for the study at little to no expense to the city. Steve explained they would apply for the grant at no cost to the city. The preliminary engineering report will cover up to $30,000.00 and would be contingent upon grant approval. No work would begin prior to grant approval. Steve assured the council the expenses would not exceed $30,000. Gary suggested holding off until the existing grant projects are completed. The preliminary engineering would be completed within 30 days. After the preliminary engineering is completed it would probably be sometime in 2020 before we would be applying for grants and loans to start the project. Steve explained this study would be based USDA criteria and if we chose to apply for funds through IEPA or DCEO then there would be some additional costs. Bill made a motion to authorize Mayor Henshaw to sign the agreement; Lisa seconded. Motion carried by all “yes” votes accept Gary and Donnie who voted “no”.

• Wetland Mitigation Update: Steve explained the project has been slowed down due to the weather, however they are approximately 50% complete.

• Storm Sewer/Flood Protection update: Starting the first week of July.

• Levee Analysis/Permitting Update: Continuing work with the permitting from DNR and haven’t heard back from them yet.

• Water Tower Update: Chris explained the pieces are all coming together. Dave Maynard had suggested purchasing a new transfer switch and generator for the new water tower in case of power outages. Chris explained it could cost around $5,000 for the switch which is grant eligible, but a portable generator is not grant eligible. The council asked Chris to check if a permanent Generac generator would be grant eligible. Gary made a motion to accept the transfer switch and permanent generator contingent upon grant eligibility, if the Generac is not grant eligible we would purchase a portable generator; Donnie seconded. Motion carried by all “yes” votes.

Old Business:

• Bid Opening for the property at 1601 VanBuren Street: Only one bid received by Donovan and Shaun Tippie in the amount of $5,600. Donnie made a motion to accept; Ronnie seconded. Gary-no; Bill-yes; Donnie-yes; Lisa-yes; Don-yes; Ronnie-yes; Allen-yes. Motion Carried.

• Off the Hook Revolving Loan Fund Application: Nora LuAllen was not present to give an update.

• George’s Insurance: Bill explained he had been working with George, city insurance company (IML) and other insurance agents for a solution to the high cost of his insurance plan. Bill suggested renewing the contract for another year due to the time restraints and get him eligible for another plan next year. According to ILM if George is working for the city their insurance would be primary and Medicare secondary. The city agreement is for 2 years and the penalty for breaking the contract is the city would be barred for 2 years. He suggested staying with the current plan for another year and George will get Medicare and a supplement next year which will be a considerable monthly savings, plus he suggested the city pay 85% and George pay 15%: Bill made a motion to renew for one more year and the city paying 85% and George paying 15% Gary seconded. Motion carried by all “yes” votes, except Donnie who voted “no”.

Public Comments:

• Donald (Bubby) Tippie, Jr. – Nuisance Issues: He explained the council had issues last winter regarding Eagles Nest property needing to cleanup and now the city has property not cleaned up plus he presented a list of 21 addresses of properties that have not been cleaned up. He wanted to know what is done and what is being done with the other properties. The city was going to issue them a ticket for not cleaning up and felt the same should have been done with all the others. Mayor Henshaw and Officer Davis both explained the others clean up their property after receiving their 7-day warnings then after that they haul stuff back in and the process starts all over again. The ordinance regarding mowing explains that a yard must be kept mowed lower than 7 inches. The council all agreed to start writing tickets, no more warnings. There was some discussion regarding dangerous buildings including the overhang on the building located at 410 Main Street. The council would like our city attorney to attend the July meeting. If someone files a complaint the council wants the violators issued a ticket.

1. Motion to accept the minutes from prior meeting: Donnie made a motion to approve; Gary seconded. seconded. Motion carried with all "yes" votes.

2. Motion to accept the cash receipts: Gary made a motion to approve; Bill seconded. Motion carried with all "yes" votes.

3. Motion to accept the cash disbursements: Donnie made a motion to approve; Ronnie seconded. Motion carried with all "yes" votes.

4. Water and Sewer: The hydrants were flushed last week so remember to run your cold water if you are experiencing rust.

5. Streets and Sidewalks

• Ronnie mentioned the issue with everyone driving their vehicles over public sidewalks. Donnie read the ordinance that you can drive over sidewalks if going into their driveway, garage or house. Gary explained he bought a lot just to park his motor home and boat, therefore he must drive over the sidewalk. Gary explained if they are parked and/or blocking the sidewalk then issue a ticket. Ronnie doesn’t like vehicles driving over sidewalks and feels we should change the ordinance. The council wants anyone blocking and/or parking on sidewalks to be issued a ticket

• Allen would like permission to spend $5,000-$6,000 on pouring new or repairing existing sidewalks: Donnie made motion to accept; Gary seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes.

6. Fire Department

• Gary was asked by fire department members to discuss the possibility of the fire department opening a separate checkbook for their funds from fundraisers. They would still have to submit financial records and bank statements monthly. Clarence Howard asked Gary why and he explained it would be like the veteran’s checking and they would not have to ask council permission to spend funds to purchase fundraiser items. Judy Brown is the treasurer and did not want to be responsible for another checkbook and reports. Donnie made a motion to not approve; Ronnie seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes.

• Accept Bill Pinger and Don Truitt’s resignation from the fire department committee: Gary made a motion to approve; Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all "yes" votes.

• Gary suggested appointing members to the fire department committee, Mayor Henshaw explained there is no longer a fire department committee. Gary mentioned everything was going smooth the way it is right now.

• Monthly Report for May: 2-First Responder calls and 1 Fire Call, plus the members attended 4 hours of training on the trucks and pump maintenance.

7. Police

• Mayor Henshaw explained Officer Davis hired full-time with the City of Aledo Police Department. He does not have a long-term schedule currently but is planning to continue to work for us also. Mayor Henshaw has been talking to the Mayor of New Boston regarding a contract. Lisa asked about the coverage. Gary mentioned that for what the city currently pays for Nathan’s hours, social security, medicare and cost of insurance we could sign a contract with the City of New Boston and have 24/7 coverage. Mayor Henshaw suggested the council give him a chance to work out the details regarding the contract. By this time next month Officer Davis will know more about his schedule. Donnie asked if we could have Mayor Defrieze come to next month meeting.

8. Campground

• Carolyn was present, and Lisa told her she was doing a great job!

• Carolyn mentioned they need (2) Hydrants on the riverfront at campsite #7 & #15 (3 campers are sharing the same hydrant), install permanent curtain rods in the shower houses and she wants her own gas can for the weed eater. Council agreed to all. George and Carolyn are going to get together on her mowing responsibilities.

• Carolyn asked permission to spray an over the counter weed killer. Gary made a motion to spray if there are no kids present, Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes.

• Donnie mentioned the 2nd row from the river needs a bunch of rock. The council agreed.

• Ronnie explained the golf cart is no longer in operation, he suggested purchasing a 2012 Yamaha gas golf cart from Tanner Thomann for $4,300, includes a 6 months warranty. Lisa made motion to accept; Bill seconded. Motion carried with all “yes” votes.

9. Zoning

• Ronnie Shaw (zoning enforcer) explained there is a zoning ordinance violation at 605 S 8th Street. He had placed a copy of the zoning ordinance in the door after being informed that three electrical pedestals had been installed on the property. The ordinance explains that a primary resident may have a recreational vehicle on their property and someone may stay up to 14 days per calendar year. The owner was also sent a certified letter that was signed for on May 14, 2018 along with another copy of the zoning ordinance explaining the use of recreational or travel trailers in residential district. Ronnie also explained that our city attorney has a pending case regarding the owner and will not be able to assist with this situation due to a conflict of interest. Mayor Henshaw asked how we are going to tell if they are staying there for more than 14 days. Council wants a ticket issued.

• The new property owner at 804 Short Street is also in violation by cutting down trees and pouring concrete on city property, plus parking trailers on city property. Ronnie has already talked to him about this matter. The council wants Officer Davis to issue a ticket to him for cutting down the trees and he must remove all items off the city street.

10. Resolutions and Ordinances

• Water and Sewer Ordinances Revised: Tabled until next month, waiting on comments from the city attorney.

• Prevailing Wage Ordinance: Gary made a motion to approve; Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all "yes" votes.

11. Other Business

• Closed Session to discuss Brad’s Standard Station Revolving Loan Fund Building at 5th & Main: Donnie made a motion to approve; Lisa seconded. Motion carried with all "yes" votes.

Gary made a motion to adjourn, Lisa seconded. Motion carried with all "yes" votes.

Time: 8:15pm

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/c8c066_a39b614a728d43619db732a2b4aa79a2.pdf