Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee City Council met July 23. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

The City Council met in Council Chambers at 7:00 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

     Steve Looney    Mayor

News media present was as follows:

     Mike Helenthal               Star Courier

     Shawn Kernan                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 July 9, 2018 Council Meeting, payroll for the pay period ending July 21, 2018 in the amount of $225,284.08, reports from Bock Inc., Finance & Administration, and the Sludge Management Report, and a request from the Kewanee to Peoria St Jude Run for the use of City streets during the 7th Annual Kewanee to Peoria St Jude Run to be held on August 4, 2018, and a request from OSF St Luke Medical Center for the use of City streets during their annual St Luke Medical Center 5K to be held on August 2, 2018 at 6:00 pm. The consent agenda items were approved on a motion made by Council Member Yaklich and seconded by Council Member Faber. Roll call showed 4 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

Bills submitted for approval totaling $701,673.22 were approved on a motion made by Council Member Faber and seconded by Council Member Koehler. Roll call showed 4 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 from the Relay 4 Life committee for a fireworks permit to be used in conjunction with their event to be held on August 25, 2018 was approved on a motion made by Council Member Yaklich and seconded by Council Member Faber. Roll call showed 4 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

Ordinance #3937 declaring certain bicycles excess and allowing for the disposal of the same was approved on a motion made by Council Member Faber and seconded by Council Member Yaklich. Council Member Yaklich questioned if owners were sought when the bicycles were found. Chief Ainley explained that no owners were found and the majority of the bicycles are in a state of disrepair and would be sold at the sale bard. Roll call showed 4 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

Resolution #5121 authorizing the purchase of a storm water pump for the Wastewater Treatment Plant was approved on a motion made by Council Member Faber and seconded by Council Member Yaklich. Council Member Yaklich noted that the purchase would allow the replacement of a 30-year old pump. City Engineer Nobel explained that the pump is barely functioning, and with the cost to rebuild the pump approaching the cost of a new pump, it is the best value to purchase a new pump. He further explained that there would be a request to replace the other two pumps over the next few years. Mayor Looney asked if not replacing the other two pumps was causing any loss to the City. Engineer Nobel explained that the delayed replacement of the pumps would not be detrimental as they are only in use after large rain events. Roll call showed 4 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

Other Business

Council Member Yaklich requested the status of the garage on West Division Street. Community Development Director Edwards reported that an email was sent to the Council Members explaining that some of the issues had been corrected, but there are additional concerns that will continue to be addressed.

Council Member Yaklich also requested an update regarding his complaint about Hodges. Mr. Edwards reported that he was in communication the Hodges and they are making some progress.

Council Member Faber thanked everyone for their work leading up to the Prairie Chicken Festival. He specifically thanked Grounds Maintenance Manager Newton for his work in the park. He also thanked both Chiefs for their participation with the smoke trailer and police information during the Festival.

Council Member Koehler noted that marvelous turn out for the Patch Memorial Drive. He also commented on the north exit of the KHS parking lot. Staff noted that the exit was being addressed.

Council Member Yaklich questioned when the Tenney Street project would begin. City Engineer Nobel explained that several options were being researched to complete the project.

Council Member Faber asked about the summer road program. City Manager Bradley noted that the hot mix portion of the road program was complete, the sidewalk portion of the program would begin soon, and the scarify and oil and chip portions would happen later in the month.

Mayor Looney congratulated the volunteers of the Prairie Chicken Festival for another successful event. He also urged residents to pay attention to the sirens, and to seek safety if they are sounded.

Announcements

City Clerk Edwards announced that burn days had ended until September. Also, the Transfer Station Saturday hours had ended and would be available again in the spring.

There being no further business, Council Member Yaklich moved to adjourn the meeting and Council Member Faber seconded the motion. Roll call showed 4 ayes, no nays. The meeting adjourned at 7:19 pm.

http://www.cityofkewanee.com/COUNCIL%20MEETING%2018-14.pdf