City of Kewanee City Council met Oct. 28.
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 October 15th, 2019 Council Meeting, Minutes from Planning and Zoning Board, payroll for the pay period ending October 12th, 2019 in the amount of $215,291.70, Reports from Police and Community Development, roll call showed 5 ayes, no nays. The motion passed.
Bills submitted for approval totaling $678,648.08 were approved on a motion made by Council Member Komnick and seconded by Council Member Yaklich. No discussion of bills. 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.
• No citizen participation
NEW BUSINESS
• Reading of Bina Notice by Mayor Moore. No public Council Member Yaklich asked wat we were borrowing money for? City Manager Gary Bradley informed the board that these were bonds that were put in place years ago where we issue bonds, make the payments and then abate the levy that is on the taxes now. It’s a double security for the purchasers. Bond Hearing was concluded at 7:07 pm.
• Census Presentation by Denis Bulat was very informational. Denise was able to hand out a packet to all the council members to review. She expressed the importance of the accurate counts in Kewanee. The packet included the demographics of Kewanee and their locations. 2020 estimate shows that there are hard to count areas and populations in Kewanee. The lost counts include the small children and transients. The Census will be sending out Post Cards to the residents in Kewanee to fill and send back. We will be getting a copy of the post card to get the citizens hyper aware of what that will look like and not to discard those post cards.
• Consideration of an Ordinance Granting a request for a Variance for Brenda and Patrick Weston in regards to the door fence. Motion made by Council Member Komnick and seconded by Council Member Faber. Council Member Faber started with concern that there were only 4 board members voted at the zoning board meeting. Mayor Moore welcomed Brenda Weston to the mic. Brenda Weston stepped up to explain the reason for her fence. Brenda stated that she takes in rescue dogs and needs a high enough fence to keep the dogs from escaping. She explained that she has tried multiple fences and none were successful. The progress was stopped due to weather but she is not complete yet. Mayor Moore expressed his concern with the dogs going through the glass and doors. Another gentleman stepped up to explain the door is much thicker then a normal wood fence. Council Member Yaklich spoke about the ordinances that we have in place for a reason. He stated that he will back the zoning board and our ordinances. He stated he lives in the neighborhood and he doesn’t like the fence. Council Member Komnick stated it is very creative but as people started to discuss this fence with him.the ones that are in favor also back the statement with but I’m glad it’s not in my neighborhood. Sealing them and weather proofing is in their plans. Yaklich stated that he is also worried about property values as an owner of homes in that area. Brenda’s daughter stepped up to express her thoughts and she feels that Kewanee should be more opened minded and allow freedom of expression. Roll call shows 0 ayes, 5 nays. The motion passed ordinance not passed.
• Consideration of Ordinance amending the One-Family Dwelling District. Motion made by Council Member Komnick and seconded by Council Member Colomer. Council Member Yaklich asked if this was in regards to the Dog Grooming. Council Member asked about how many dogs are taken care of in a week time. Owner stated about 15-20 per week. No multiple dogs there at a time unless they are from the same family. No dogs are kept outside and she is a single owner and groomer. Dogs are dropped off and owners do not stay. Parking is not an issue. Yaklich asked Keith since this was not on the books before this request and planning commission instilled some stipulations they are in their minutes. Keith read off just a few. Verified that the owner is aware and the application was in Ellie’s name. Roll call shows 5 ayes, and 0 nays. Motion passed.
• Consideration of an Ordinance Granting a special use permit to Ellie Sabella for property on 315 Roosevelt Ave. Motion made by Council Member Faber and seconded by Council Member Colomer. Council Member Komnick verified parking would not be an issue. Ellie explained she feels parking will not be an issue. Roll call shows 5 ayes, 0 nays. Motion Passed.
• Consideration of a Resolution to award work to Patriot Trailer Manufacturing for the
Transfer Station Trash Chute. Motion made by Council Member Komnick and seconded by Council Member Faber. Kevin Newton explained that this would allow them to build this chute with a higher standard steel. The process would be started on a Friday and finished on a Sunday with one day of the transfer station to be closed. Spoke with them that day and they are hoping to have it done before weather turns. Roll call shows 5 ayes, 0 nays. Motion Passed.
• Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Fire Chief to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Motion made by Council Member Komnick and seconded by Council Member Colomer. Council Member Yaklich verified that this was the information covered at the last meeting. Yaklich reviewed and is concerned.doesn’t want this to be a Trojan horse. Yaklich verified a few numbers in regards to reimbursements. Fire Chief Shook stated the additional funds would go back to the general fund. Colomer verified that there were no adverse actions if this doesn’t go through. Roll call shows 5 ayes, 0 nays. Motion Passed.
• Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Documents for the Renewal of the Self-Funded Insurance plan with BCBS of Illinois. Motion made by Council Member Yaklich and seconded by Council Member Colomer. City Manager Gary Bradley explained is it will not increase the employees cost just the rate that the city would pay. It will increase by $34485.00 for the next year. After talking with the Insurance advisors they stated this was a very reasonable cost and they recommended we stay at where we are at. Roll call shows 5 ayes, 0 nays. Motion Passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
• Council Member Komnick wanted to say thank you for the Bakersville event. Especially to Chief Ainley and Officer Woods for their traffic control. He expressed how neat it was that the 3rd graders were able to visit and enjoy such a great experience. Also a shout out to the 2 new Animal Officer that completed their training. Very much looking forward to new business ventures that may come with information brought back from the Chicago Conference that City Manager Bradley attended.
Thank you to the resident that sent a letter in regards to the Cannabis potential coming to Kewanee. We need more information to make an educated decision for the citizens of Kewanee. And finally the yard waste stickers need a new backing and glad to hear Bradley will work on that in the future orders.
• Council Member Yaklich stated he has 4 things on his list to discuss. 1.) Where are we on City Engineer. City Manager Bradley stated that we do have it posted and we paid for 60 days after we see what comes through we will re-evaluate other options. Bradley feels word of mouth will also help and local media. 2). What is the status on the audit report? City Manager Bradley stated we are waiting on information from the fire fighter pension fund and some reconciling issues that he and the mayor will discuss. 3). On Aug 26th council meeting I asked what else don’t we know about the water and sludge issue. At that time, we were informed that we were out of compliance. I have looked back and I see no record that this was a huge issue. Now in the packet we a letter stating that we are out of compliance. He is concerned that the council was not aware. Are we missing deadlines.are we looking at all options? Concerned with emergency situations coming up. City Manager Bradley stated he has been aware and in contact and asked for the extension. The state responded no. That was not going to allow us to meet again with council. We didn’t miss the deadline.we got it on the 30th day. With advice from the atty. We did enough to get us by and stop it from going to the Atty. General. The Well idea is innovative.but not sure the reward doesn’t out way the issues. Rod Johnson stepped up and stated what Yaklich was suggesting was not an option before.at another location but Rod stated he could check it out again.
4). I would like to see us have a sludge meeting and I still see no reason why we have not had a meeting. We have had a chance to have a meeting with Stan one on one. Komnick stated he is not for the one on one meeting. Just isn’t a good situation. Yaklich stated he has read the contract and is specially says they do not have to come to the council.be berated by the council and anything. Apparently we get to berate Gary Bradley and he can berate them. Komnick stated at this point he would assume they would want to come. Yaklich stated looking at the contract and it is our responsibility to make the arrangements to get the sludge spread. Let’s work on getting ahead of the game to get this arranged.
• Council Member Faber started with there were so many things going on Saturday if you were bored your fault. Trash cleanup was a bit slow but very beneficial. I attended the 50-60’s dance and couldn’t go to the Bakersville but heard it was a great success. Is the date November 4th the cannabis meeting? Gary Bradley stated we will let them all know when its confirmed.
• Council Member Colomer started with be careful with Halloween coming up quick. Watch for the kids and drive safe. May have the first snow fall.
• Mayor Moore thanked Denise for her presentation and wanted to congratulate both schools for the playoff runs in football. Good Luck.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Due to Veterans day on Monday November 11th.the Next Meeting will be at 7pm on Tuesday November 12th.
• November 2nd will not be a burn day due to both Kewanee and Wethersfield Football Games will be going on.
Adjourn: Motion made by Council Member Colomer and seconded by Council Member Faber. Roll call shows 5 ayes, 0 nays. Motion Passed.
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