City of Galva City Council met May 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council of the City of Galva met in regular session Monday May 22, 2023 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, Rick Otterstrom, and Doug Anderson. Aldermen Hopping and Clucas were noted as being absent.
A public hearing for the petition and annexation of property was held AT 6:00P.M. before the council meeting began. Mayor Volkert opened the public hearing stating that this was for a tract of land across from Jones’s Storage on N Center Ave that Stevens Veterinary Clinic purchased for the future site of their new clinic. He then asked for comments, questions, or concerns. Hearing none Mayor Volkert then closed the public hearing.
The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
Alderman Anderson made a motion and was seconded to approve the April 24, 2023 council meeting minutes. The vote was 4 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 4 yeas and no nays.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Volkert reported that the City had received: State of IL: April MFT $8,775.43, March State Use tax $7,302.19, April Income tax $59,416.34, April Cannabis tax $297.86, March Telecommunications tax $1,720.91, April Video Gaming tax $4,565.50, April Personal Property Replacement tax $28,847.81, and March Sales tax $19,687.38
First on the agenda was an annexation agreement. David Dyer stated that this agreement is between the City of Galva and Steven’s Veterinary Clinic. The agreement states that the clinic will annex into the city limits and in turn the city will waive inspection fees and we will also install city water and sewer lines to the property. Alderman Anderson made a motion to approve the agreement and was seconded. The vote was 4 yeas and no nays. Alderman Anderson asked when they were planning on breaking ground and Dr. Stevens replied that she is waiting on contractors to know for sure. Alderman Olson asked how close the new building will be to existing water and sewer lines, Greg Thompson replied that they will only have to cross the road from Jones’s Storage. Dr. Stevens stated that she appreciated all the City has done to help with this process and Alderman Olson replied that the city appreciates her as well. Alderman Anderson then asked Dr. Stevens to let David know what her plans with her old building are as well.
Next on the agenda was Ordinance 1645: Annexation Ordinance for Steven’s Veterinary Clinic. David Dyer stated that to make this official we need to pass this ordinance and the City Clerk needs to file and record it with the County Clerk. Alderman Olson made a motion and was seconded to pass the ordinance. The vote was 4 yeas and no nays.
Next on the agenda was Melissa Halsall. Melissa was not present at this time.
Next on the agenda was Ordinance 1646: Tax Levy for the Payment of Well 5 repairs. David stated that the repairs for well 5 are completed, but now we have to pay for it. We have paid for some out of pocket but we still have $109,988 remaining to pay for. He included the fee schedule for everyone to look at and pointed out a 5.33% interest rate. Alderman Otterstrom made a motion to pass the ordinance and was seconded. The vote was 4 yeas and no nays.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment at this time.
Next on the agenda were the department head reports. Kraig Townsend had nothing tonight. Greg Thompson stated that Five Cities is on block 4 of 6 so after a rough start they are making progress now. The manholes came in today as well so they should be able to move right along now. Richard Plummer stated that clean up week will be June 19-24th. Mayor Volkert added that you can bring your items out to the maintenance building or call City Hall and we can do a one time pick up for residents.
Next on the agenda were the Aldermen’s Reports. Alderman Anderson stated that he has heard a lot of compliments for the Hometown Consultants from everyone in the community. He stated that he believes that this is a golden opportunity for Galva and he is hoping that this will help bring in new students, raise our EAV, and bring new memberships to the Park District as well. He asked Dr. Stevens if she had anything to add about the consulting group and she stated that it is exciting and hopes it will bring positive changes to the community.
City Administrator’s Report
David Dyer stated that he has received a lot of feedback for the Hometown Consultant group as well and he is very excited about this, these guys are much more attuned to revitalize the downtown area than he is. He then stated that he has given everyone a copy of a proposed ordinance to review for the next council meeting regarding parking and storage of vehicles, campers, etc. He also let the council know that we ended the fiscal year $8,093 ahead of last year, this is now the 4th record year in a row and that the video gaming tax was significantly up this month as well.
Mayor Volkert stated that he has heard a lot of good feedback on the IDOC guys working in town this year and thanked Richard Plummer and Chance Jones (assistant warden) for working together to help to set this up.
Alderman Olson moved and was seconded to move to executive session. The vote was 4 yeas and no nays.
Alderman Olson made a motion and was seconded to come out of executive session. The vote was 4 yeas and no nays.
Coming out of executive session Mayor Volkert recommended to appoint Barash and Everett Law Firm as the new city attorneys. Alderman Anderson made a motion for this and was seconded. The vote was 4 yeas and no nays. Mayor Volkert then stated that Zac Lessard was present from the law firm at this meeting but Leslie Day will be our primary contact for most things.
After no further discussion Alderman Anderson made a motion and was seconded to adjourn. The vote was 4 yeas and no nays.
https://www.galvail.gov/Minutes/052223.pdf
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