Rock Island Today

City of Galva City Council met Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Galva met in regular session Monday, December 19, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. with Debbie VanWassenhove serving as City Clerk. Mayor Rich Volkert presided with the following Aldermen in attendance: James Hartman, Jeff Olson, Jayme Hopping, Jackie Clucas, Doug Anderson, & Rick Otterstrom.

The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Volkert thanked Alderman Hopping for running the last meeting in his absence.

MINUTES

Alderman Hopping made a motion and was seconded to approve the November 14, 2022 council meeting minutes. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays.

BILLS AND CLAIMS

Alderman Otterstrom 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

Alderman Hopping reported that the City had received: November MFT $8,428.82, October Sales tax $29,898.91, October Video Gaming tax $2,739.65, October/November Personal Property Replacement tax $10,241.52, October Income tax $25,230.01, September State Use tax $7,877.03, October Cannabis tax $323.30, September Telecommunications tax $1,953.70.

First on the agenda was to award demolition bids. David went over the bids that we had received. For the demolition of 314 Front St we had 3 bids turned in; Ratliff Bros. bid $268,900, S. Shafer Excavating, Inc. for $270,800, and Brown Excavating & Demolition for $274,249. For the demolition at 323 Market St we received 2 bids; Brown Excavating & Demolition for $73,170 and S. Shafer Excavating Inc. for $113,000. David recommended that they accept the cheapest bid on both buildings. Alderman Anderson made a motion and was seconded to approve the bid of $268,900 from Ratliff Bros. for the Front St demolition. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays. Alderman Anderson then made a motion and was seconded to accept the bid of $73,170 from Brown Excavating for the Market St demolition. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays. David then stated that the contract requires both buildings to be down by July 1st, 2023.

Next on the agenda was the bid opening for the 2002 Ford F550. Mayor Volkert stated that we only received one bid on this, he then opened the sealed envelope and announced that the bid was from Todd McClintic in the amount of $3,200. Alderman Anderson made a motion and was seconded to accept the bid. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays.

Next on the agenda was Ordinance 1642: Annual Tax Levy Ordinance. David stated that our property taxes will be lowered by $.04. Since our old TIF expired our EAV went up and we will be bringing in an additional $80,737 and that last year our percentage rate was 2.796300% and this year it will be 2.756274%. Alderman Hopping made a motion and was seconded to pass the ordinance. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays.

Next on the agenda was Ordinance 1643: Approving Membership in IMLRMA. David stated that we are changing our insurance company back to IML, the savings will be $242.42 per month plus we will be getting cyber insurance with this as well. Alderman Hopping made a motion and was seconded to pass the ordinance. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Carol Townsend asked what kind of insurance we are changing, David replied that it is for our liability and general insurance. Carol then asked who owns the 2 buildings we are demolishing, David replied that we own the one on Front St and BJ Cornwall owns the one on Market St.

Next on the agenda were the department head reports. Richard Plummer asked that residents not park on the street this weekend until they are done plowing. Alderman Anderson asked if it was 2” of snow for no parking on the street and Richard replied yes, but he would prefer it to be 1”. Alderman Anderson then asked if we give notices up town and Kraig replied that we do. Mayor Volkert stated that everyone has been telling him that the park looks great this year and thanked Richard for that. Greg Thompson stated that he talked to Mike Yepsen and they are planning on filling the ice rinks tonight. He then stated that Hoerr has finished the sewer lining project last week and some storm sewers. He said that they were excellent to work with and that the guys all liked them. He then stated that they got well 5 pulled from the ground and next month we will get the evaluation to see what is going on with it. Kraig Townsend wanted to remind residents to keep all doors locked, there are always more break-ins around the holidays and a lot of people have a mentality that it’s just Galva and we don’t have to worry about that, but it does happen here too so please take precautions. He then stated that a couple of weeks ago officer Alex Wagner found a structure fire while on patrol and was able to report it and help get a resident and her son out and she was very grateful and believes that he saved their lives.

Next on the agenda were the Aldermen’s Reports. Alderman Clucas stated that they got a letter from Eagle Enterprises explaining the new garbage program and thought that was great and very informative. Alderman Anderson asked who will be maintaining the ice rink? Greg Thompson replied that he is not sure but will talk to Mike Yepsen about it but the new tiles will help to block the water. Alderman Anderson then congratulated David on lowering the tax rate for the city. Alderman Otterstrom wished everyone a Merry Christmas!

City Administrator’s Report

David Dyer stated that the Bishop Hill Windmill project has been sold and asked for a certificate stating that the agreement with the city is the same. They now want the council to pass a resolution to say that David has permission to sign even though he was the one who originally signed the paperwork. Alderman Anderson stated that we have already given David the authority to do that and if they don’t like it then that’s too bad. Everyone agreed on that. David then stated that the school would like us to replace 30 sidewalk squares, this is usually a 50/50 program but he told them that he would bring it to the council but he suggested sticking to the 50/50 program. Richard Plummer asked where the squares were since that program is only for sidewalks on the easement not on personal property, David believed it was where the “horseshoe” is, Richard agreed to look in the morning to see exactly where they are talking about. Mayor Volkert then stated that all utility bill customers that are on level pay will be getting re-evaluated in January to see if the level pay amounts need to be adjusted at all depending on usage. If there will be a change to the payment amount the customers will be notified by letter. Alderman Anderson asked where we are at on the trailer park and Greg replied that the Martin’s are getting things buttoned up for the weather and we will be in changing meters that do not work. He is also planning on re-doing some of the trailers next year and we will do the water main at that time also.

Alderman Hopping moved and was seconded to move to executive session. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays.

Alderman Olson made a motion and was seconded to come out of executive session. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays.

After no further discussion Alderman Hartman made a motion and was seconded to adjourn. The vote was 6 yeas and no nays.

https://www.galvail.gov/Minutes/121922.pdf