City of Galva City Council met Sept. 26.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council of the City of Galva met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. with Debbie VanWassenhove serving as City Clerk. Mayor Rich Volkert presided with the following Aldermen in attendance: James Hartman, Jayme Hopping, Mitch Boston, Jackie Clucas, Rick Otterstrom, & Doug Anderson.
The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
Alderman Boston made a motion and was seconded to approve the August 22, 2022 council meeting minutes. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays.
BILLS AND CLAIMS
Alderman Hopping moved and was seconded that the bills and claims be approved as presented and the City Clerk is instructed to issue orders on the Treasurer’s account for the several amounts. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Volkert reported that the City had received: State of IL: August Income tax $21,762.68, July State Use tax $8,689.69, July Telecommunications tax $1,827.82, August Cannabis tax $318.86, August MFT $8,482.23, July Sales tax $27,803.52, August Video Gaming tax $3,152.59, Final Installment ARPA Grant $168,608.88.
First on the agenda was the Freedom Fest Presentation. Melissa and Carson Halsall, Shelly DeCrane, and Kandy Engels were present. Melissa stood up and thanked the committee and community for all of their support and help. She also thanked Shawn Kendall, Brittany Stewart, and David Benson for taking over the 5k run and doing a fantastic job. She then announced that the committee was able to raise enough money to pay for the fireworks in full this year, which is the first time ever Freedom Fest has been able to raise the full amount! The committee members then presented a check for $22,500 to the city. Mayor Volkert thanked them all and stated that we are all very appreciative of all that they do.
Next on the agenda was a presentation by Matt Marchand for the Blue Star Program. Matt stated that this is a program that will enable youth in our community to be safer. What this program would do is that any family who would be interested in participating would go through a thorough background check and after passing that they would receive a blue star to put in their window and if a child finds themselves in a situation that they do not feel safe (being bullied, harmed, etc.) they can go to these households with the blue star and have a safe place to go for help. The families that qualify for the blue star would be given training on how to help the children and who to contact in case of emergencies as well. Any family that qualifies can be a blue star family. Mayor Volkert stated that it sounds like a great program and that we will work with Chief Townsend and Mr. Marchand and have more discussions on this. Alderman Boston asked about a re verification process and Mr. Marchand said that the participants would have a paper to sign but he would look into that as well.
Next on the agenda was a discussion on Cemetery Plot Sales. David Dyer stated that he is not sure how it started but the city has allowed people to make payments on their cemetery lots over time but our city clerk has come upon an ordinance passed in 1944 that does allow for payments however they would have to be paid in full in 6 months’ time with 6% interest. We will not go after the ones that have someone already buried in them but going forward we need to go by the ordinance and only allow 6 months to have them paid off. We are losing money at the cemetery and it should be a break even department.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Judy Hand stated that she has been looking over the new rates for next year’s garbage and recycling program and she didn’t see the prices for extra cans. The extra can rates were then shown to her and the program was explained. Judy Kitterman asked why we went with a 10-year contract and David replied that it was cheaper for us to do it that way and that we can re-negotiate in 5 years. Mayor Volkert then stated that we also get our garbage pick-up at a discounted rate because they are located in Galva.
Next on the agenda were the department head reports. Chief Townsend stated that their body cams are now up and running and they will be on anytime they have a n interaction with the public. Officer Wagner was present and had one on to show the council. He then stated that they are looking into proposals for a new squad car, but he is still getting the figures on that. Richard Plummer had nothing at this time. Greg Thompson stated that they will be flushing hydrants from October 10th-21st. He then handed the council a that he is going to distribute to the public regarding the EPA mandated lead and copper survey. Anyone that we do not have service line information for will be receiving one of these letters on their door to have them fill out and return to us. If a lead service line is found there is funding available to help.
Next on the agenda were the Aldermen’s Reports. Alderman Hartman asked when the house on SW 4th St would be coming down and Richard replied next week. Alderman Boston asked whether or not we have heard anything on the truck we had ordered and Richard replied that they are now telling him it is “in transit”. Alderman Anderson asked
if the court date for the West house was set for Thursday and Elisa replied that it is, he then asked about the house on NW 1st Ave and Elisa replied that we are waiting on the trustee for that address.
City Administrator’s Report
David Dyer had nothing at this time.
Mayor Volkert announced that Trick or Treat hours for Halloween would be set for October 31st from 5-7pm.
Alderman Hopping moved and was seconded to move to executive session. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays.
Alderman Hartman made a motion and was seconded to come out of executive session. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays.
After returning from executive session Alderman Anderson asked to have changes to the personnel ordinance put on next month’s agenda.
After no further discussion Alderman Anderson made a motion and was seconded to adjourn. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays.
https://www.galvail.gov/Minutes/092622.pdf
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