Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee City Council met Oct. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The October 10th, 2023, Council Meeting to order at 6:33pm. Councilmembers Baker and Komnick were present along with Mayor Moore and City Manager Gary Bradley. Councilmembers Colomer and Faber were absent.

A motion to go into closed session to discuss Litigation Section 2(c)(11) was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Motion passed 3-0.

A motion to adjourn to regular session was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Motion approved 3-0. Closed session was adjourned at 6:55pm.

The October 10th, 2023, Council Meeting to order at 7:01pm in the Council Chambers. Councilmembers Baker and Komnick were present along with Mayor Moore and City Manager Gary Bradley. Councilmembers Colomer and Faber were absent.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, followed by a moment of silence for our troops.

The Consent Agenda included the following:

A. Minutes from the Council Meeting on September 25th

B. Payroll for the pay period ending September 23rd in the amount of $225,934.83.

C. Staff Reports

D. End Zone Hayrack Ride

A motion to approve the consent agenda items was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Motion passed 3-0.

Bills for the Council Meeting of October 10th were presented in the amount of $1,326,490.92. A motion to approve payment of the bills was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: None. Motion passed 3-0.

Public Comments: None

New Business:

A. Consideration of Bill 23-55 Ordinance amending Section 97.088, Adoption of Walk Built or Replaced by Private Individuals, established in the City of Kewanee Code of Ordinances. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: Councilmember Komncik asked if this is something we already do. Community Development Director Keith Edwards stated that it is and that the Code just needed updated. Motion passed 3-0.

B. Consideration of Bill 23-56 Resolution accepting a grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Strong Communities Program – Round 2. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: Mayor Moore said that this will help continue to take care of blighted properties. Keith and Katie were thanked for their work on the grant. Motion passed 3-0.

C. Discussion Only: International Existing Building Code (IEBC) Keith stated that this had been discussed before, but nothing was found on a vote being taken. This is for existing buildings, mostly commercial structures. He would be able to use this as a reference should it be needed when our codes don’t discuss a certain issue. The council stated he could move forward with the changes.

D. Discussion Only: International Building Code (IBC) & International Residential Code (IRC) We already use these codes for the most part but making a few changes would allow Keith to better clarify some of the issues we see locally. Many other municipalities use these codes so it would be easier for builders and contractors. The council stated he could move forward with the changes.

E. Discussion Only: International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) This code deals with nuisances pertaining to properties. If our code does not list something specific, we would be able to turn to this for clarification. The council stated he could move forward with the changes.

Council Communications:

Baker: None

Komnick: Reminder that the Buddy Walk is this weekend.

Mayor’s Communications:

Many people have expressed concerns about the number of gaming facilities in town. He would like to have a conversation with the Council about limiting the number allowed. Councilmember Baker stated that he is not a fan of them. Councilmember Komnick clarified that they are somewhat limited because of the amount of liquor licenses available, and we should be careful on the reasoning we limit them. Councilmember Komnick would like to hear from those that own the facilities as well. The Council determined that they would be interested in having a longer, more detailed conversation.

The Buddy Walk is Saturday and will be held at Windmont Park. He would love to see as many as possible attend to help raise money for our area residents that have special needs and could use summer programing.

Announcements:

Trick or Treating will take place on Tuesday October 31st from 5-7pm. City staff will clock off Prospect during that time, as has been done for the past several years.

The 2023 Fall Cemetery Clean-up is scheduled to begin on October 20,2023 and end on October 31, 2023. During this period, all decorations will be picked up and discarded. Anyone wishing to save their decorations must pick them up before October 20th. The Cemetery Department asks that no new decorations be put out until after the clean-up period has ended. This clean-up applies to Pleasant View, South Pleasant View, Mount Olivet, St. Mary’s, Kewanee, Russian, and Wethersfield Cemeteries.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Baker and Seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Motion passed 3-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:29pm.

Minutes were prepared after viewing the recording from the October 10th meeting as the City Clerk was not present:

http://cms5.revize.com/revize/kewanee/Minutes%2010-10-2023.pdf