City of Kewanee City Council met Dec. 28.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
he Consent Agenda included the following items:
a. Approval of Minutes of the December 14th Meeting.
b. Payroll for the pay period ending December 19th in the amount of $202,768.89
c. Reports from Bock, Incorporated
Council member Faber moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Council member Yaklich seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0.
Bills were presented in the amount of $169,477.28
Council member Colomer moved to approve payment of the bills. Council member Komnick seconded the motion. Discussion: Council Member Yaklich had a question in regards to the State bank of Toulon Operations account. Is this account where we store money and write checks out of? Gary Bradley answered and explained that yes, this account is the main Operations account and write checks out of. No further questions in regards to the bills. The motion was approved 5-0.
Public Comments: None New Business:
a. Consideration of Resolution #5263 authorizing an agreement with Cottingham & Butler for Health Insurance Consulting Services Council member Yaklich moved to approve. Council member Komnick seconded the motion. Council member Yaklich expressed his opinion that the City can choose to spend its money in town or out of town when making purchasing decisions and suggested that Blue Cross/Blue Shield will provide the same information and services regardless of who the broker is. Mayor Moore agreed, but noted the importance of trusting staff and the evaluation process and stated that if the local firm could match the services offered by an out of town firm, they should have shown that in their proposal. Council members Faber and Colomer echoed those thoughts. City Manager Bradley indicated that in terms of cost, the local firm scored highly, but in staff’s judgement, the services to ensure compliance and assist with HR issues and risk management were more evident in the proposal of Cottingham and Butler and other firms than in the proposal from the local firm, and that the evaluation of the proposals was based not on cost alone, but on the services rendered for the cost. The motion was approved 4-1, with Council member Yacklich voting no.
b. Consideration of Ordinance #4041 amending Ordinance No. 2841 adopted May 9, 1994, commonly known as The City of Kewanee, Illinois, Administrative Code— Council member Faber moved to approve. Council member Colomer seconded the motion. Sara Dickinson of Cottingham & Butler indicated that the insurance carrier had agreed to the change and suggested that there was no real downside to the move. The City Manager indicated that he had heard back from potentially impacted employees and that none were opposed to the move, should the Council choose to include the additional class of former employees who had opted for the early retirement. He indicated that he would have to verify that the insurance carrier would allow such a move and that the language in the proposed ordinance would have to be altered. The Council members withdrew their motion and second. Council member Komnick moved to table the item. Council member Yaklich seconded the motion. The motion to table was approved 5-0.
c. Consideration of Resolution #5264 authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Michlig energy for furnishing vehicle & equipment fuel to the City of Kewanee. Council member Yaklich moved to approve. Council member Faber seconded the motion. Kevin Newtown was asked whether or not he was pleased with the bids. He indicated that he was, because they save the City money compared to the previous year and the recommended bid saves money compared to the other bid that was submitted. The motion was approved 5-0.
d. Consideration of Ordinance #4042 approving and authorizing the execution of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Kewanee and David C. Taylor Council member Colomer moved to approve. Council member Faber seconded the motion. Discussion: Council Yaklich asked Date Taylor what projects he planned to do? Dave Taylor was present and responded that he needs new flooring, repair the bar area and previous damages from a lease. Council Colomer asked what the targeted opening day would be. Dave Taylor responded that he plans to open within the next month but he wanting to get stuff done and look into the gambling so at this time I do not have a specific date. Gary Bradley explained that he wants to be open when the state opens back up and allows these type of businesses to re-open. Council Member Yaklich asked is there any clawbacks for the downtown TIFs that the work is done and then turn around and sell the property. Gary Bradley stated there are clawbacks and require the entity to stay open for 5 years. Which makes the grant a forgivable loan and they payback is set on a percentage on payback. Council Member Colomer asked for the Attorney Justin Ravers advice. Justin stated that after review he is not really a TIF atty and Jacob and Klein should be the one to ask. Colomer stated that opening an abandon building back up downtown is exactly what we are looking to do with the downtown TIF. The motion was approved 5-0.
e. Consideration of Hotel Tax Proceeds The City Manager gave a brief explanation of how the process currently works and how it would work if the City were to terminate their agreement with the County. Council member Yaklich moved to notify Henry Councy of the City’s intent to end the agreement and collect the Hotel Tax. Council member Faber seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0.
Council Communications:
Council member Komnick thanked the volunteers for the lights and Windmont and Northeast Park and wished everyone a safe New Year.
Council member Yaklich asked how long the City would be meeting through the use of zoom. He also inquired as to how the EAV can be up within the City but down for the school districts and expressed his concern that the City Council had been given incorrect information. Mayor Moore explained that the City of Kewanee and the school districts have different boundaries, with the school disctrict boundaries extending out into the unincorporated areas of the County.
Council member Faber wished everyone a Happy New Year.
Council member Colomer Inquired as to the expected timing for a TIF Application from submission to approval. The City Manager indicated that the Process should not take as long as it did with the Taylor TIF, but indicated that he couldn’t speak to why it had taken extra time to be reviewed by the attorneys, suggesting that perhaps working conditions, Covid, or something else had played into the timing. Counci lmember Colomer also complimented former City Engineer Scott Hinton as a class act for still attending the City Council meeting via zoom even though he was no longer employed by the City.
Mayor’s Communications:
Mayor Moore asked Keith Edwards to take a moment to announce a Grant Award that had been made to the City. Keith Edwards informed the City Council that a two-year grant in the amount of $164,700 by the Illinois Housing Development Authority under their “Strong Communities Program.”
Announcements: None
Council member Colomer moved to adjourn the meeting. Council member Komnick seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM
http://cms5.revize.com/revize/kewanee/Minutes%2012-28-20.pdf
Alerts Sign-up