City of Kewanee City Council met Oct. 23.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The October 23rd, 2023, Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers. Councilmembers Colomer, Baker, and Komnick were present along with Mayor Moore, City Manager Gary Bradley, City Attorney Justin Raver, and City Clerk Kasey Mitchell. Councilmember Faber was absent.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, followed by a moment of silence for our troops.
The Consent Agenda was presented:
A. Minutes from the Council Meeting on October 10th
B. Payroll for the pay period ending October 7th in the amount of $226,382.23.
C. Staff Reports
D. Bock Report
A motion to approve the consent agenda items was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Motion passed 4-0.
The bills for the Council Meeting of October 23rd were presented in the amount of $404,284.23. A motion to approve payment of the bills was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: Councilmember Colomer questioned a payment to Boss. City Manager Gary Bradley replied that it was a settlement amount agreed upon between both parties for damage done to their building when City crews were working on water line in the area. Colomer then asked about a payment to USA Blue Book. Public Works Director Kevin Newton stated this is usually for the Wastewater Treatment Plant and that this is a vendor that is used often. With no other questions, the motion passed 4-0.
Public Comments:
Ms. Arrington of 102 Maple Ave approached the Council about wanting a sign in her yard designating it a no parking area because her driveway is often blocked by vehicles when there is a game at Kewanee High School. She was informed that it doesn’t need a sign as it is illegal to block a driveway and that in the instance someone is parked there, she should call the Police Department. Ms. Arrington stated that she has called in the past and that some officers wouldn’t do anything about it. Deputy Police Chief Stephen Kijanowski said he would make sure the patrol officers are aware of the issue and address it properly.
New Business:
A. Consideration of Bill 23-57 Ordinance granting a request for variance to Shirley Pitman, 480 Midland Dr, Kewanee, Illinois. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: None. Motion passed 4-0.
B. Consideration of Bill 23-58 Ordinance granting a request for variance to Jason Phelps, 725 Dewey Ave, Kewanee, Illinois. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: None. Motion passed 4-0.
C. Consideration of Bill 23-59 Ordinance amending Section 150.015; Adoption of Building Code 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 Colomer, having been absent from the previous meeting where these updates were discussed, asked for clarification on the changes. Community Development Director Keith Edward stated that this one was to change the wording from “current” to “2021” to aid in understanding for contractors and staff. Motion passed 4-0.
D. Consideration of Bill 23-60 Ordinance amending Section 150.017 Amendments; Modifications established in the City of Kewanee Code of Ordinances. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: Mr. Edwards stated that this amendment gets rid of a redundancy in our Code. Motion passed 4-0.
E. Consideration of Bill 23-61 Ordinance amending Section 150.040; Adoption of Property Maintenance Code established in the City of Kewanee Code of Ordinances. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: None. Motion passed 4-0.
F. Consideration of Bill 23-62 Ordinance amending Section 150.041; Additions, Insertions and Changes to the Property Maintenance Code established in the City of Kewanee Code of Ordinances. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: Mr. Edwards stated there is an error in the current code and this will correct that error. Motion passed 4-0.
G. Consideration of Bill 23-63 Resolution adopting the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) and authorizing City Staff to reference it when presented with situations where other adopted codes offer no practical solution. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: None. Motion passed 4-0.
Mayor’s Communications:
Last Saturday was the Enchanted Pumpkin Festival. Besides the wind, it was a great event with a great turnout.
Both of our local high schools have made it to playoffs, and he wished them the best of luck. There will be a chance to help decorate signs for both teams on Tuesday October 24th at the Flemish for those interested in helping.
Both local high schools have made it to regionals for volleyball as well. We wished them the best of luck.
Council Communications:
Komnick: He was not able to attend the Enchanted Pumpkin Festival as he was with the KHS Marching Band at a competition where they placed fourth. He congratulated them on a good season. He recently attended Bakersville and wanted to give a shout out to the organizers of that event for another great year. The KHS Soccer team just finished their season. They broke many team and individual records this year and he congratulated them on a great season.
Colomer: He asked about the current road program and if there are any changes that can be made in the future so that we are not racing against the weather to get the projects completed. City Manager Gary Bradley said that we hope to bid things out differently next year to avoid this issue. He then asked if there was anything the City could do about possibly raising the local sales tax to aid in funds for the road program. Mr. Bradley reminded him that the Council had already directed staff to compose an ordinance for the Council to put a referendum on the Spring ballot for this purpose. Next, he asked for an update on installing signs directing people to the local hospital. Mr. Bradley stated that he planned to discuss this with the hospital in hopes of collaborating with them. Councilmember Colomer then congratulated Brady Clark of the Kewanee High School football team on his record-breaking career points.
Baker: He added his congratulations to the local football and volleyball teams as well as to Brady Clark.
Announcements:
A reminder that 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.
Saturday October 28th will NOT be a burn day due to the playoff game hosted at Wethersfield High School.
City Hall and the Transfer Stations will be CLOSED Friday November 10th. Friday’s recycling will be moved to Thursday for that week.
A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: None. Motion passed 4-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:27pm.
http://cms5.revize.com/revize/kewanee/Minutes%2010-23-2023.pdf
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