Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee City Council met Jan. 14.

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:

Steve Faber Council Member

Chris Colomer Council Member

Michael Yaklich Council Member

Andy Koehler Council Member

Steve Looney Mayor

Council Member Faber 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)(11) to discuss pending litigation. Council Member Yaklich seconded the motion. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

The executive session adjourned at 6:54 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 open meeting to order at 7:00 pm stating that the Council is reconvening following a closed session pursuant to Section 2(C) (1) of the Open Meetings Act to discuss personnel and Section 2(c) (11) to discuss pending litigation.

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 December 21, 2018 Council Meeting, payroll for the pay period ending January 5, 2019 in the amount of $269,987.64, reports from Community Development and Public Works. The consent agenda items were approved 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 $286,435.91 were approved on a motion made by Council Member Faber and seconded by Council Member Colomer. Council Member Yaklich questioned the benefit the City received from the work of Jacob & Klein and the Economic Development Group. City Manager Bradley explained the assistance received from the attorneys in those businesses with the duties related to TIF zones. 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 back to new business.

NEW BUSINESS

Ordinance #3953 vacating an alley located in the parking lot of East Tenth Street was approved on a motion made by Council Member Colomer and seconded by Council Member Faber. Jon DeBord explained that the electric, phone and data lines would be run through the alley to the second building on the property. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

Resolution #5138 awarding the demolition of the house at 830 Florence Street and the garage at 829 Florence Street to Dana Construction 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.

Resolution #5139 authorizing the purchase of two used automated garbage trucks from the City of Normal, IL was approved on a motion made by Council Member Colomer and seconded by Council Member Yaklich. Operations Manager confirmed that any employees no longer needed for garbage collection would be split between other departments. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.

A brief discussion was held regarding an Internal Controls policy. Mayor Looney noted that anytime the policy referred to a specific person, such as the Director of Finance or City Clerk, that is should also state or designee. Council Member Yaklich noted that he had several notations. The Council notes would be integrated into the policy for review at the next meeting, with Council action anticipated at the first meeting in February.

A brief discussion regarding the Health Insurance Fund balance followed. The discussion included the minimum fund balance being a cushion for the City, as well as the report that the City was in discussion with the insurance consultants. Staff will meet continue discussions with the consultants and bring the topic back to the Council at the next meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS

Council Member Colomer noted the big snow event and the pretty good job by staff. He reminded residents to stay off the roads during those events to allow staff to clear the roads.

Council Member Koehler thanked all those involved for the Christmas decorations and events around town.

Council Member Yaklich noted that city staff’s responsibility to respond to emergencies on holidays, noting specifically a water main repair on New Year’s Eve and response to an accident in Wyanet with an anhydrous tank and a train. Council Member Yaklich reported that he had received compliments regarding the professionalism of the staff at the train incident.

Council Member Faber requested that the warming stations be noted on the website when identified.

Council Member Colomer wished everyone a safe and happy holidays, urging residents to be safe on New Year’s Eve.

Council Member Koehler asked about the upcoming Amtrak Corridor meeting in January. City Manager Bradley noted that he would send Council Member Koehler the invitation.

Mayor Looney thanked City staff and wished everyone a Happy New Year.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

City Clerk Edwards announced that City Hall offices would be closed on Monday, January 21, 2019 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day. There would be no planned changes to the trash collection schedule.

There being no further business, Council Member Faber moved to adjourn the meeting and Council Member Yaklich seconded the motion. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The meeting adjourned at 7:44 PM.

http://www.cityofkewanee.com/COUNCIL%20MEETING%2019-01.pdf