City of Keithsburg Council met Dec. 10.
Here is the agenda provided by the council:
Mayor Henshaw opened the Meeting at 6:30 PM 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; and Maintenance-George Lyle.
MSA Grant Project Updates: Steve Haring was present to give updates.
Wetland Mitigation: Approximately 95% complete. Seeding and Tree planting remain. The project is shut down for the winter.
Flood Mitigation: On December 5, 2018 Valley encountered groundwater while excavating for Manhole 105 just east of 4th Street. Valley opted to provide a de-watering plan and cost estimate to MSA immediately, so construction could continue. Ronnie asked if the sidewalk along Jackson Street was going to be replaced? Steve will check on this matter and report back.
Water Tower: Pay Request #8 has been submitted in the amount of $19,961.73. The noise the tower is making is coming from the mixer. The mixer prevents the water in the tower from stratifying, plus helps keep the water in the tower from freezing in the winter. MSA is looking at different solutions for this issue. Galesburg Communications, the contractor for 911 operations, has been working on installing the new 911 antenna and equipment on the new tower. Once the 911 system is installed and activated the old tower will be demolished, this could happen before Christmas.
Search Grant: They are expecting a response shortly after the Christmas/New Year holiday. Old Business
Bathroom Improvements at the Campground: Ronnie has spoke with a couple new contractors and will report back next month.
Public Comments:
Veteran’s Park Bingo Fundraiser: December 14, 2018 at the American Legion Hall in Aledo, IL. Serving Meals at 5:00 and Bingo starts at 6:30
April 2, 2019 Election: The 1st, 2nd and 3rd ward Alderman positions are open. The filing period for petitions is Dec 10th through Dec 17th. If you are interested in running contact Terri at City Hall prior to December 17, 2018.
1. Motion to accept the minutes from prior meeting: Lisa made motion to accept; Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all "Yes" votes.
2. Motion to accept the cash receipts: Bill made motion to accept; Gary seconded. Motion carried with all "Yes" votes.
3. Motion to accept the cash disbursements: Gary made motion to accept; Bill seconded. Motion carried with all "Yes" votes.
4. Water and Sewer
• Total gallons pumped 1,384,850 with an average of 43,861
• Gary asked how Bill Pinger, Jr schooling for Water Operator was going? Bill explained he is still working on it.
5. Streets and Sidewalks
• Mayor Henshaw suggested signing a contract with Martin Care for the maintenance of the John Deere Backhoe. The cost would be $2,638.10. The machine had 1,287 hours on at the last service. This contract would start at 1,287 hours and go through 2,000 hours. Gary suggested the city do their own maintenance and he explained George just must keep the maintenance documented for the warranty. George suggested doing the ongoing maintenance plan until the warranty runs out which is 1,500 hours. George explained the parts are expensive. Gary mentioned this is what he does every day and he offered to help George with the maintenance. After much discussion Gary made motion not to approve the maintenance, Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all "Yes" votes.
• Donnie explained he had several complaints about the way the snow has been plowed, due to the width of plowing and the snow piled in the intersections. He also mentioned the piles of snow at the bus station and ice. Donnie suggested spreading salt when it gets icy.
6. Fire Department – Clarence Howard
• Is working with George to get the lights fixed and/or replaced at the fire station
• Training: 2 hours trained on the Scott Packs and changed batteries, 2 hours EMS Training and monthly meeting
• Firefighters Grant: Jeremy Malcom would like to have Bi-State apply for a grant for a new Fire Truck. Gary made motion to authorize Jeremy Malcom to work with Bi-State and apply for a new fire truck, Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all "Yes" votes.
• Keithsburg “Junior” Firefighters Policy:
a) must stay within 10 ft of the truck “No Exceptions”
b) must be 13 years or older
c) cannot go on Mutual Aid Calls
d) can attend all Meetings, Drills, Training and Fundraisers (must attend training to go on calls)
e) not Mandatory to go on calls
f) cannot participate on calls
g) cannot drive trucks
h) not allowed on Medical Calls
• Gary made a motion to accept the policy with the exception of 16 years or older rather than 13 years; Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all "Yes" votes.
• Jeff Hoogerwerf Application: Lives on the Keithsburg Township Rd 2950N: Lisa made motion to accept; Ronnie seconded. Motion carried with all "Yes" votes.
7. Police
• Gary would like to discuss contracting with the City of New Boston for police protection. Gary
explained the last time it was $1,200 month or $300 a week. He also explained we are averaging 8 hours of police protection a week right now. Mayor Henshaw explained Mayor Defrieze has quoted him $1,500 monthly, plus a couple tanks of gas a month. Gary explained contracting with New Boston would relieve the city of the cost of maintenance on the squad, plus no insurance or license plates and workman’s comp. Gary suggested having someone from New Boston come to a meeting and/or accept a contract. Mayor Henshaw and Gary have both spoke with Mayor Chris Defrieze and Dusty Terrill the new Mercer County Sheriff regarding this matter. After much discussion the council wanted Mayor Henshaw to contact New Boston and ask for some to come to the January meeting. Gary made motion to accept; Donnie seconded. Motion carried with all "Yes" votes.
8. Campground
• Mayor Henshaw thanked Jan Occhi for attending the Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) meetings
with him and Terri for completing all the paperwork, with everyone’s help the city has been approved to receive $15,400 in funds from “the Looser-Flake Charitable Foundation” to pour (7) concrete pads in the lower (original) section of the campground.
• Mercer County Better Together: Sent a letter asking for support of $723.75 (579 residents @ $1.25) by January 15, 2019. Gary and Donnie both explained the city had already donated to this organization. Gary made a motion not to donate, Donnie seconded. Lisa-abstained; Don-no; Ronnie-no; Donnie-yes; Gary-yes; Bill-no. Motion not carried. Ronnie made a motion to donate $723.75 and pay out of campground; Bill seconded. Lisa-abstained; Don-yes; Ronnie-yes; Donnie-no; Gary-no; Bill-yes. Motion carried.
Campground Host: Gary suggested putting an advertisement in the paper. Terri explained it wasn’t necessary if they were going to hire the same host again. The council will discuss this again next month.
9. Zoning: No comments
10. Resolutions and Ordinances: No comments
11. Other Business
• Earl Smith’s estate would like to donate a 20’ x 50’ piece of property to the city: The property is located north of VanBuren from 10th to 11th Street adjacent to the levee. The City already owns the entire block except for this partial vacant lot. Their Attorney is Karl Bredberg and he will be preparing the paperwork. Gary made motion to accept; Donnie seconded. Lisa-yes; Don-yes; Ronnie-yes; Donnie-yes; Gary-yes; Bill-yes Motion carried.
• Employee Christmas Bonuses: Lisa suggested giving $150 to same people as last year, plus include Bill Pinger, Jr. from Water Sewer. Gary suggested giving George Lyle-$250 because he is the only fulltime employee. Lisa made a motion to give the following Christmas Bonuses-General Fund: $250-George Lyle; $150.00-Nathan Davis and Steve Henshaw; Water Sewer: $150-Terri Gibson and Bill Pinger, Jr; Campground: $150-Camp Host; Gary seconded. Motion carried with all "Yes" votes.
• Employee Raises: Lisa suggested giving George Lyle and Terri Gibson a 3% raise effective January 1, 2019 after an annual evaluation is completed by the mayor. Lisa made motion to accept; Gary seconded. Motion carried with all "Yes" votes.
Gary made motion to adjourn, Ronnie seconded, accepted by all. Time: 7:33PM
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