City of Kewanee City Council Met Feb. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Council Meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM. All members of the City Council were present in Chambers.
The Consent Agenda included the following items:
a. Approval of Minutes of the January 25th Meeting.
b. Payroll for the pay period ending January 30th, 2021 in the amount of $228,452.61.
c. Reports from Police, Community Development, and Bock, Incorporated
Councilmember Faber moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Komnick seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0.
Bills were presented in the amount of $370,233.39.
Councilmember Colomer moved to approve payment of the bills. Councilmember Faber seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Faber had a question about some tree damage to a property. Was curious is this was a City Tree. Kevin Newton stated that this was a while back and it was a City tree. K. Newton stated he could get back to Faber with the details. Next to have questions was Councilmember Yaklich. The question was regarding the PRV repairs. K Newton stated those are the Pressure Reducing Valves that needed to be repaired. Yaklich had a question about the WIFI that is out at Francis Park. K Newton stated that this is a monthly fee for the hotspot. Even though we are not using the Wi-Fi currently, we are on a contract. Watchguard bill was from the new cameras in the Police department. K Newton confirmed that was the bill and the charges. Yaklich had one final question about Ray O’Herron and the ammo that was purchased. The motion was approved 5-0.
Public Comments: Tony Nyhart stepped up to the microphone to have a few words to say. Mayor Moore asked if he was going to have comments about the Ordinance already on the agenda and stated that he would have time to discuss his concerns at that time and thanked him for coming this evening.
New Business:
a) Consideration of an Ordinance #4043 granting a Special Use Permit to Ray Hayes for property at 918 Kent St. to allow for a non-residential parking area Councilmember Komnick moved to approve. Councilmember Faber seconded the motion. Mayor Moore asked if Mr. Nyhart would like to speak at this time. Mr. Nyhart stepped up to the microphone. Mr. Nyhart has concerns about the parking situation next to his home. It is currently not a parking allowable area. Nyhart is upset with the looks of the parking area. Mr. Hayes stepped up to explain that he wants to park his trailers there. This area is right across from his business and has easy access to hi equipment. Councilmember faber stated that after reading the Planning Commission notes that they are trying to keep it tight and have added 8 restrictions to help maintain the area for the surrounding neighbors. Councilmember Yaklich stated that he received a phone call from Hayes and Hayes had explained his purpose of the special use permit. In the past Mr. Hayes had tried to get the property changed to B zone but that was turned down. Hayes stated there will be nothing other than trailers on this property.
Councilmember asked if Mr. Hayes would be okay with a limitation in the Ordinance to reflect just trailers and no other heavy equipment. Councilmember Yaklich asked the Nyhart in the audience if they are ok with the property to just have trailers. They expressed their concerns. Councilmember Colomer stated it really sounded like Mr. Hayes was trying to be a good neighbor. The motion was rescinded by Councilmember Yaklich and rescinded by Councilmember Komnick. A new motion was reflected to amend the Ordinance to add stipulation 9 that the trailers must be empty when stored per Justin Raver. No further discussion. A motion made by Councilmember Yaklich. Councilmember Komnick seconded the motion. Motion was approved 5-0.
b) Consideration of Resolution #5270 accepting a grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s strong communities’ program Councilmember Colomer moved to approve. Councilmember Faber seconded the motion. Councilmember Yaklich asked for a bit of clarification of the grant’s purpose. Keith Edwards explained that this grant will help with additional demolitions that the City would not have to incur the cost of. This would allow the City funds to be spread out and prioritize better. Yaklich appreciates his efforts. Colomer also stated that this is a great use of our resources. The motion was approved 5-0.
c) Consideration of a Resolution #5271 awarding part of the 2021 annual street maintenance program to Porter Brothers Asphalt & Sealing, Inc. Councilmember Faber moved to approve. Councilmember Komnick seconded the motion. Councilmember Colomer asked if the Henry County Department would be submitting their prices. City Manager Bradley stated yes, they would, we just do not have those at this time. Councilmember Yaklich was confused about the map that was submitted. City Manager Bradley stated the map was correct and the reason is due to the recommendation by the Council. We are taking the advice that was given about not having the crews jump around the City. They County wanted the City divided into quadrants. Faber stated that it is was easier to do a section and not jump around to different locations. Yaklich assumed that there would be a better explanation. Yaklich feels that we should address all the needs not just the quadrant. However, Faber stated last year’s area were not on the map because they were already taken care of. Colomer stated that everyone feels their street is more important than any others. Colomer stated if this is the best way to spend the funds and resources he agrees with the map. The motion was approved 5-0.
d) Discussion of Truck Routes amending chapter 77 traffic schedule vi, section c, designation of local delivery truck routes in Kewanee City code. City Manager Bradley explained that we do not have codified routes for truck in an area of town. We do want to explain that there will still be deliveries by trucks in residential areas and off truck routes. Councilmember Yaklich stated that he remembers way back being on the Council and having strict stipulations for Wal-Mart to build a road that would sustain the heavy traffic and he disagrees with this proposed route due to the amount of money that the City has recently put into East Street for repairs. Bradley reiterated that these are for local deliveries and not be used as a semi route. We do not want them using side roads. Colomer stated his neighbor had a whole kitchen delivered on a semi. We are just trying to design a route best. Yaklich feels he has a better plan and Bradley stated that is why we have this for discussion and not a final draft. Faber stated maybe a weight limit would be a better plan. Posted weight signs along the route may be a solution. Colomer asked why staff brought this to their attention. Bradley stated we have nothing designated on the East side of the City on the books, so this was more a proactive measure to ensure the integrity of the roads. Consensus was to add only the roads that serve the transfer station and sewer treatment plant.
Announcements: City Hall will be closed Monday February 15th in observance of Presidents Day. There will be no change in trash and recycling schedules.
Council Communications:
• Councilmember Yaklich started his communication by stating he will try not to lecture, but in the words of Harry Truman the buck stops here. Yaklich is concerned that a memo went out that we do not have financials at this time. Stated if Harry Truman was our Mayor or City Manager that buck would have stopped on their desk and they would have saw that it got done. Asked where we are at financially and was disappointed with the response, which he found to be unacceptable. Randi Haley stated there are many obstacles, including the lack of journal entries completed, year-end reporting requirements, access to information, lack of availability from state agencies. She was not comfortable providing inaccurate information. FY-20 audit had priority, different software and way of doing things, Covid created difficulties. Yaklich stated that during the transition there should have been an overlap between finance directors. Yaklich then noted that the council has gone a long time without financial reports. Yaklich apologized for the lecture again.
• Councilmember Faber wanted to thank the Police Chief on the updates and information. Also thank Keith Edwards on the Vehicle removals and tagged. Faber suggested that maybe we have empty parking lots with gravel for additional parking after we demo houses. Edwards stated the first obstacle is that we do not own the properties and then once the gravel is packed down, we may have run off. Edwards suggested that this is a conversation to have with the City Atty.
• Councilmember Colomer started with how the weather has turned and we need to check on our neighbors and family. Lots of snow is coming down and please be aware if you are on a snow route and remove your cars. Be courteous to the snowplow drivers. Regarding the financials, Colomer agrees with Yaklich except the fact that he feels Ms. Haley is doing a spectacular job and he commends the work she is doing, and this mess was left in her hands by past practice. Colomer appreciates all her hard work.
• Councilmember Komnick also agrees Randi’s is doing a great job. But do we have warming stations on the website and locations. Thank you to Kevin Newton and Gary Bradley on the information on snow removal and the process. How is the RAP program going? Is it as successful as we had hoped? Edwards was hoping for better response, but he does have some request that we may be able to investigate as soon as the weather is permitting. We are still getting groups and organizations wanting to offer help and their services. Last thing Komnick wanted to thank Chief Welgat on his reports. Domestic violence stuck out to him and was curious is the City has and funds or resources that could be facilitated. Yaklich spoke up and questioned the crime statistics.
Mayor’s Communications:
• Mayor Moore wanted to speak about the Covid-19 vaccine clinic, and it was very successful. It was held at Black Hawk College and the volunteers and staff did a great job and worked very hard. So, thank you to them.
Announcements: City Hall will be closed Monday February 15th in observance of Presidents Day. There will be no change in trash and recycling schedules.
Councilmember Colomer moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Faber seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:16 PM
http://cms5.revize.com/revize/kewanee/Minutes%2002-08-21.pdf
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