City of Kewanee City Council Met Nov. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Consent Agenda included the following items:
a. Approval of Minutes of the October 26th Meeting.
b. Payroll for the pay period ending October 24th in the amount of $231,823.59
c. Payroll for the pay period ending November 7th in the amount of $283,299.48
d. Reports from Police, Community Development, and Bock, Incorporated
Council member Colomer moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Council member Komnick seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0.
Bills were presented in the amount of $437,206.80
Council member Colomer moved to approve payment of the bills. Council member Komnick seconded the motion. Discussion: Council member Faber inquired as to whether or not insurance would cover the cost for repairs caused by a lightening strike and was informed that it would. He also alsked about repair costs for a gas line on Grove and whether that was related to the lightning strike and was informed that that bill was due to damage cause by one of our crews. Council member Yaklich inquired if the bills for south water tower would wrap that project up and was informed that it would. He asked where the funding for pavement markings comes from and the City Engineer explained that it comes from the Non-Home Rule Sales Tax. He then inquired about the maintenance of state routes and was informed that we get quarterly payments for routine maintenance including snow removal, pothole repair, etc. and that the funding is formula based rather than a reimbursement for actual expenditures. He then asked for clarification on City purchases of funeral arrangements for former employees and staff indicated that the items were budgeted and who the arrangements were for. The Mayor added that one of the individuals had been a dispatcher for the City. No further questions in regards to the bills. The motion was approved 5-0.
Public Comments: None
New Business:
a. Consideration of Ordinance #4033 providing for the issuance of $298,920 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2020 of the City of Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois, and for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds. Councilmember Colomer moved to approve. Councilmember Faber seconded the motion. The City Manager introduced the City’s Independent Financial Advisor, who indicated that the bonds had been competitively bid and that the best bid was from State Bank of Toulon. The Council indicated their support for the low interest rate. The motion was approved 5-0.
b. Consideration of a Resolution # 5251 approving change order #1 for project #20-01, south water tower coating, in the amount of $7,800.00. Councilmember Komnick moved to approve. Councilmember Faber seconded the motion. There was no Discussion on the matter. The motion was approved 5-0.
c. Consideration of a Resolution # 5252 approving an Agreement with Lakeshore Recycling Systems to haul and dispose of solid waste from the transfer station. Councilmember Colomer moved to approve. Councilmember Faber seconded the motion. The Mayor opened the discussion by noting that an agreement with Knox County was included in the attachments and asked about its inclusion. The City Engineer explained that the agreement with Knox County and Staff Report had been prepared by a recent retiree. He credited the City Manager with requesting that look into other options in the area to identify cost savings, and by looking into other options staff was able to save about $250,000 per year. The additional information was included to show staff’s efforts to save money. Councilmember Komnick stated that the savings was a considerable amount. Councilmember Yaklich inquired about the savings this year and was informed that it would depends on tonnage, but could be $75 to $80 thousand. He discussed the history of the agreements with Knox County and their incremental increases and his pleasure that a local option was now available and gave compliments to Scott Hinton and Gary Bradley for their efforts. The City Manager noted that this would not have been an option in the past with the landfill in Atkinson because in the past it did not have the capacity and added that another benefit to the agreement is that Henry County will receive additional revenue due to the added landfill use within the county. Councilmember Colomer verified that this was the same landfill that we recently entered into an agreement with for accepting leachate. The motion was approved 5-0.
d. Consideration of a Resolution # 5253 to award cash rent farming lease to Wade Werkheiser Councilmember Colomer moved to approve. Councilmember Faber seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Komnick expressed his appreciate for the letters of recommendation. Mayor Moore asked if any other bids were received and was informed that it was the only bid. Councilmember Colomer asked if he had been good to work with in the past and was informed that he had been. Councilmember Yaklich indicated letters of reference didn’t matter to him, the only thing that should matter was the bid, then expressed his disappointment that the City had not yet changed its process for accepting bids. The City Manager noted that he had been prepared to have the bid process on the agenda but was asked to remove the item in order to keep the agenda somewhat light. Councilmember Yaklich noted that we want as many people bidding on things as possible and expressed his reservations with the process as it currently stands. The Mayor confirmed that it would have been taken care of at this meeting but he asked for the agenda to be cut to the bare minimum. Councilmember Yaklich reiterated his concerns about the bidding process. The motion was approved 5-0.
Council Communications:
Councilmember Colomer noted his respect and gratitude to front line healthcare workers in light of Covid-19. He encouraged everyone to wear their masks and do the proper things to help slow the spread of the disease. He congratulated Chief Welgat on his new position. He expressed his gratitude for Moore Tires, their work, and the fact that they are expanding in our community.
Councilmember Komnick had the honor of attending the Veterans Day Ceremony and appreciates the efforts of the Kewanee Veterans Council. He expressed his concerns regarding Covid-19 and encouraged the councilmembers to serve as
Councilmember Yaklich had a complaint about the crane parked in front of the Star Courier and was hoping that Keith Edwards would be on to answer his questions. The City Manager attempted to answer but was inaudible. Councilmember Yaklich asked that he follow up later with an answer. Councilmember Yaklich had been in a meeting with the Henry and Stark County Health Department and indicated that the County was going to ask the State to provide factual information where the spread originates from. He noted that when we as a City make a statement, we have to make sure there are no repercussions and asked that when statements are made the whole council be brought into the discussion. He urged people to protect those at risk and take the proper precautions.
Councilmember Faber was also at the Veterans Day Ceremony. He inquired about the status of Route 81. The City Engineer indicated that work was not scheduled to begin until 2025. He asked for an estimated cost of the project and the City Engineer indicated that he would send that our via email. Councilmember Colomer asked about lighting, bike trails, and other enhancements and the City Engineer explained the process and the input that he had provided regarding those items.
Mayor’s Communications:
Mayor Moore indicated that the items he intended to bring up had been sufficiently covered in the council communications and asked for a motion to adjourn.
Announcements: None
Councilmember Faber moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Komnick seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 PM
http://www.cityofkewanee.com/Minutes%2011-16-20.docx
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