City of Kewanee City Council met July 8.
Here is the minutes 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:
Steve Faber Council Member
Chris Colomer Council Member
Michael Yaklich Council Member
Michael Komnick Council Member
Gary Moore Mayor
News media present was as follows:
Mike Helenthal Star Courier
Sean Kernan WKEI
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Mayor Moore asked for a moment of silence for our troops still fighting overseas.
Mayor Moore 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 Moore 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 24, 2019 Council Meeting, payroll for the pay period ending June 26, 2019 in the amount of $200,038.64, The consent agenda items were 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.
Bills submitted for approval totaling $916,125.28 were approved on a motion made by Council Member Faber and seconded by Council Member Komnick. Bill from CIPP was questions by Yaklich. It was explained by Rodney Johnson and Gary Bradley that these are liners for the sewer infrastructure. Councilman Yaklich was also concerned that All Seasons didn’t take care of some small volunteer trees on Elm St. Keith was not present to answer however Gary Bradley reassured Yaklich that these could be taken care of easily. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Mayor Moore then asked if anyone wished to speak regarding a non-agenda item. Andy Koehler stepped forward to keep the board informed about his property located at West Mill St. by Central School. Mr. Koehler admitted that the roof at this location is in serious need of help. He was just here to reassure the board that he is actively looking to get a repair company out to get the necessary repairs done in a timely manner and would keep the board informed on the progress.
NEW BUSINESS
Acceptance of the minutes from the planning Commission from meeting June 27th, 2019. Motion made by Council Member Colomer and seconded by Council Member Yaklich. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.
Ordinance #3972 Granting Special Use Permit to Don Grabbe was approved on a motion made by Council Member Colomer and seconded by Council Member Yaklich. Yaklich then congratulated Mr. Grabbe on the improvement to the property. Council Member Yaklich then asked how they had dealt with a couple neighbors that had complained about the juke box noise. Mr. Grabbe explained that he had reduced the Juke box noise by adjusting the volume level and stated that he was very happy with his recent profits and his neighbors also seemed pleased with adjustments made. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.
Resolution # 5173 authorizing the continuation of the nonconforming use at 200 E 7th st as a B- 2 Business district was approved on a motion made by Council Member Yaklich and seconded by Council Member Colomer. Jodi Pettit stepped forward when Council member Yaklich asked if this property had ever been reverted back to a residential home. Jodi assured that this property had always been a business. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.
Resolution #5174 acknowledging the Illinois Housing Development Grant in the amount of $37k was approved on a motion made by Council Member Komnick and seconded by Council Member Faber. Colomer addressed the board with a concern on how we can realocate the funds. City Manager Bradley addressed the concern and stated that we have some funds that we allocated to remove delapitated homes and those funds now can be used for other needs. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.
Resolution #5175 to authorize the City Manager Gary Bradley to enter into an agreement with Nyhart for the City actuarial services was approved with a motion made by Council Member Faber and seconded by Council Member Yaklich. Yaklich voiced a concern about the $1000.00 additional fee for the GASB for 2018. City Finance Director Debbie Johnson explained that these were included in the bid and these were for the past year and for the uplcoming audit in July. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.
The Proclamation declaring July 10th Caleb Cleaver day was presented to Caleb Cleaver by Mayor Moore.
OTHER BUSINESS
Council Member Faber spoke to the board and audience on the Prairie Chicken Festival and the Black Knight Mural. Expressed the excitement for this Community to have such a wonderful festival. Encouraged all to attend and enjoy all the festivities that they had to offer. But when looking at the mural.please pull over and park. It will be worth your time.
Council Member Colomer also wanted to address Caleb Cleaver and praise him for his strength and perserverience. Colomer also reiterated that the Prairie Chick Festival had so many great things to offer. Mentioned the need to support your community and what it has to offer. Mentioned the Chalk art on Saturday.
Council Member Komnick started by thanking Police Chief Ainley on speaking with the Senior Center. Komnick also wanted to mention the Mary Poppins production that was this past weekend. Stated he may be a bit biased due to his family performing in the production. Gary Moore also stated it was an amazing show and that we should congratulate the performers. Komnick stated hats off to the arts.
Council Member Yaklich requested an update on East street? Due to the length of the project were there any additional costs that we should be concerned about? City Manager Bradley responded with any project like this one there are unexpected issues that arise. Rodney Johnson also responded that he was in contact with IMEG to see which changes would qualify for additional funds from the state. Bradley stated that is the benefit in being in the 80/20 split to help defer some of the cost. Yaklich asked how the engineer search was coming. City Manager Bradley responded that we are only 2 months into this year and that our main focus at this time is to finish the projects that we have on our plate. A question was raised by Yaklich on the Neponset Ambulance Service and if we had entered into an agreement with them. Council Member Yaklich was concerned that a decision and or vote was never brought before the board. Council Members Colomer,Faber, and Komnick assured Council Member Yaklich that yes this was brought in front of the board and that they voted to let the City Manager to go forward with negoitiations and make the deal. Yaklich then asked for an update on the audit status. Debbie Johsnon indicated that the auditors would be Kewanee to start their fieldwork on July 28th. Yaklich then asked about the budget reports and the date of their completion. City Manager Bradley stated that City Finance Manager Debbie Johnson had all the numbers inputed and had given him a hard copy as an example earlier in the day and that staff would like to simplify the document. Last but not least Council Member Yaklich asked for an update on the sludge. Bradley stated that he was in contact and was hoping to hear if they were going to spread today or tomorrow but unfortunaly didn’t get a response in time for the meeting. Yaklich raised concerns by Colomer on the man hours that we are paying for from this company. And if they are not doing the work are we due a refund for the funds. Mayor Moore also commented on this stating he felt we were not being charged for the man hours that they were just stating they will provide the man hours, but agreed he feels that if they were doing better cleanouts and not partial cleanouts we may not be in this situation. Council Member Yaklich asked for a copy of the bill and check for the Division St. project. City Manager Bradley stated he would get that to him.
Mayor Moore wanted to also mention that the Mary Poppins performance was wonderful and he was glad to attend. Mayor Moore also congratulated retired Police Officer Tim Pence for his service.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There being no further business, Council Member Colomer moved to adjourn the meeting and Council Member Faber seconded the motion. Roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The meeting adjourned at 7:32 PM.
http://www.cityofkewanee.com/COUNCIL%20MEETING%2019-13%20draft.pdf
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