Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee City Council met June 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The City Council met in Council Chambers at 6:00 pm with the Mayor calling the meeting to order and the following answering to roll call:

Andy Koehler Council Member

Steve Faber Council Member

Michael Yaklich Council Member

Chris Colomer Council Member

Steve Looney Mayor

Council Member Colomer made a motion to adjourn to executive session pursuant to Section 2 (c) (1) of the Open Meetings Act to discuss personnel and Section 2 (c)(2) to discuss collective bargaining. Council Member Faber seconded the motion. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

The executive session was adjourned at 6:58 PM on a motion made by Council Member Faber and seconded by Council Member Colomer. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

Mayor Looney called the regular Council Meeting to order at 7 PM, stating that the Council was reconvening following a closed session pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act to discuss personnel and Section 2(c)(2) to discuss collective bargaining.

News media present was as follows:

Mike Helenthal Star Courier

Russ Hughes WKEI

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Mayor Looney asked for a moment of silence for our troops still fighting overseas.

Mayor Looney explained that the next items were placed on the consent agenda and were considered to be routine in nature to be passed as a whole with one vote of the Council. Mayor Looney requested that any member of the Council or the audience wishing to have an item removed from the consent agenda for individual consideration to make the request and the item would be removed and considered following the approval of the remaining consent items. The consent agenda included minutes from the June 11, 2018 Council Meeting, payroll for the pay period ending June 23, 2018 in the amount of $208,076.16, reports from Community Development, ESDA, Finance & Administrative Services. Council Member Yaklich requested that the Community Development Report be discussed separately. The remaining consent agenda items were approved on a motion made by Council Member Yaklich and seconded by Council Member Colomer. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

Council Member Yaklich questioned the process for issuing weed notices. There was discussion of a property that had not been issued a notice. The property had been previously utilized as a pasture but no longer had any animals on it; while the adjacent property had a home being constructed. City Manager Bradley and Community Development Director Edwards reported that the owner had been approached and had agreed to get the property into compliance. The Community Development Report was accepted on a motion made by Council Member Yaklich and seconded by Council Member Faber. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

Bills submitted for approval totaling $243,317.94 were approved on a motion made by Council Member Colomer and seconded by Council Member Faber. Council Member Colomer asked about the purchase of a new mower. Grounds Maintenance Manager Newton reported that it was a budgeted purchase and provided information about the mower. Council Member Yaklich questioned the payments to Two Guys Construction. City Manager Bradley reported that the payments were for a project under the targeted minor home repair program. Council Member Yaklich also questioned the payment to Word Systems. Chief Ainley reported that it was for the audio/video recording in the interview rooms. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

Citizen Participation

Mayor Looney then asked if anyone wished to speak regarding a non-agenda item. There being no such requests Mayor Looney moved on to new business.

New Business

A request for the use of a public alley by Tavern on Beach on July 7th from 10 am to 10 pm was approved on a motion made by Council Member Koehler and seconded by Council Member Yaklich. Matt Jenkin, owner of the Tavern on Beach, explained the plans for the event. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

A request for a fireworks permit for the annual July 4th fireworks display was approved on a motion made by Council Member Colomer and seconded by Council Member Faber. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed. A request from the Kewanee Community School District for the use of Pleasant View Cemetery for a cross country meet was approved on a motion made by Council Member Faber and seconded by Council Member Colomer. Council Members noted their concern for the condition of the cemetery when the event was over. Grounds Maintenance Manager Newton reported the conditions already discussed. He also noted that the team practices in the cemetery on a regular basis. Council Member Yaklich asked about insurance for the event. Mr. Newton explained that the students are all required to have insurance through the school for any sporting events, but the topic would be included in the discussion for planning the event. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

Ordinance #3933 amending Section 155.006 Definitions and Section 155.068 Business and Wholesale District in regards to permitted uses was approved on a motion made by Council Member Colomer and seconded by Council Member Faber. Mayor Looney noted that the item had been discussed at the previous meeting. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

A discussion regarding the addition of a salon use to the allowable special uses in residential districts was held. Community Development Director noted that a resident had inquired regarding a spray tan salon in a home. He also noted that several special use permits had been issued for in home hair salons, while the code did not have a specific allowance for one. Council Members concurred that the code should be updated to include a salon as a special use in a residentially zoned area. The ordinance would be presented for consideration at the next meeting.

A discussion allowing for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) within all zoning districts followed. City Manager Bradley noted that EVCS was not a consideration in the past, and therefore was not addressed in the code. It was necessary to discuss the topic and get ahead of technology. Kurt Gustafson, of Gustafson Ford was in the audience. He noted that several safety precautions were present in the EVCS. Council Member Yaklich felt that there was no need to have EVCS in residential areas. He also suggested that EVCS should be required to have a special use so that there was a way to monitor them, limit them, and have them removed when no longer in use. Community Development Director Edwards would include the requested changes to only allow EVCS in commercial areas and only with a special use permit. The ordinance would be presented for consideration at the next meeting.

Other Business

Council Member Colomer commended the Kewanee A’s for their Nolan Keane tournament. He also noted the upcoming Prairie Chicken Festival.

Council Member Koehler again noted the suggested exit on the North side of the Kewanee High School parking lot. He was glad we are working together.

Council Member Yaklich echoed Council Member Colomer’s comments. It was a great weekend with yards in good shape, More on 34, local store events, Chamber BBQ Challenge, and the A’s event. He also noted minutes from February 12 on the website were showing December 11 minutes and requested that be corrected.

Council Member Faber noted his disappoint in the progress at the new pound building. Council Member Yaklich and Colomer noted their disappointment.

Mayor Looney echoed the comments of Council Member Colomer and Yaklich. He also noted the upcoming fireworks on the 4th. Council Member Yaklich noted that the Concerts in the Park on Thursday. Mayor Looney noted the Prairie Chicken Festival and the new mural being painted at B&B during that event.

Announcements

City Clerk Edwards announced that City Hall offices would be closed on Wednesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. There would be no change to the trash collection on Tuesday, Wednesday’s route would be moved to Thursday, and Thursday’s would be moved to Friday.

There being no further business, Council Member Yaklich moved to adjourn the meeting and Council Member Colomer seconded the motion. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The meeting adjourned at 8:09 pm.

http://www.cityofkewanee.com/COUNCIL%20MEETING%2018-12.pdf