Rock Island Today

City of Galva City Council met June 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Galva met in regular session Monday June 24, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. with Debbie VanWassenhove serving as City Clerk. Mayor Rich Volkert presided with the following Aldermen in attendance: Jim Hartman, Jeff Olson, Doug Anderson, and Rick Otterstrom. Alderman Hopping and Alderman Clucas were noted as being absent.

The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES

Alderman Anderson made a motion and was seconded to approve the May 20, 2024 council meeting minutes. The vote was 4 yeas and no nays.

BILLS AND CLAIMS

Alderman Olson 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: May Income tax $28,329.36, April State Use tax $8,370.84, April Telecommunications tax $1,531.92, April Cannabis tax $355.04, May Cannabis tax $322.64, May Video Gaming tax $2,129.83, April State Use tax $25,152.22, March Telecommunications tax $1,627.04, March State Use tax $6,890.67, April Income tax $66,099.84, April Video Gaming tax $2,688.80, and May MFT $8,632.07

First on the agenda was Community & Economic Development Strategy. David stated that this is a resolution to accept the Community & Economic Development Strategy prepared by Hometown Consultants. This resolution will aid us in getting grants and he advised that the council pass it & if so he will get it over to Bi-State asap. Alderman Olson made a motion and was seconded to pass the resolution. The vote was 4 yeas and no nays.

Next on the agenda was a presentation by Stark County Ambulance. Their representative was unable to attend this meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Carol Townsend asked if there was going to be a community solar array on the farm ground off of James B. Young Rd, David replied that it will be going where the old Drive In was located there. They were supposed to start in March but the weather didn’t allow for it so they are hoping to start in August now. Dustin Williams asked about the flags downtown, stating that they are in really bad shape. Mayor Volkert apologized and stated that we were trying something new with keeping them up longer but it did not work out. We have 40 more flags ordered and the bad ones will be replaced asap. He also stated that from now on Richard Plummer will decide when they get put up and taken down. Matt Marchand stated that he is a member of the Henry County Mental Health Alliance and he wanted permission to give our officers cards with resources to hand out to families who are in need of mental health services. Everyone thought this was a great program and no one had any objections to this. John McArthur had a question for Mr. Marchand regarding the Blue Star program he helped set up, he asked what the status was on educating the school on this program. Matt stated that he has had meetings with Mr. Becker and Mr. Becker has talked to the students about this already. John then stated that neither of his daughters had heard of it and he just wants to make sure the children know to be able to utilize this program. Mayor Volkert suggested that Matt meet with Carol Townsend and Diana Whitney after the meeting to put together an article about it. Dustin Williams then stated that he sees the building downtown is being cleaned up but per the contract he read Ratliff should be getting fined $250/day after July of last year. David replied that with all of the issues that arose that were out of Ratliff’s control we waived the fee if they could get it done by July 4th of this year. Dustin then asked about the Opera House, stating he has had delinquent taxes for the last 2 years. David replied that he has been working on a grant and that the city could possibly be able to take possession again by buying the back taxes.

Next on the agenda were the Department Head Reports. David Dyer gave Greg Thompson’s report and stated that well 4 is back up but we are waiting for EPA approval to get it back online, there is a 3 series test for this. John McArthur added that they have already passed the first two series of the tests and only have one more to pass. Chief Townsend stated that we have some used body cams that we had gotten from Kewanee and they have been good, but Geneseo just upgraded to the newest kind of cameras and they would like to donate their old cameras to us. They will deliver them to us on Wednesday. They are an improvement to what we have now, Wi-Fi compatible and more fool proof. Zac Lessard asked how many we would be getting and Kraig replied 4 dashcams and 15 wireless body cams. Alderman Anderson suggested writing a letter to thank them. Richard Plummer had nothing at this time. Mayor Volkert stated that the work has been done at the Park District but we still need to get a railing there to make it safer.

Next on the agenda were the Aldermen’s Reports. Alderman Anderson wished everyone a happy and safe 4th of July!

City Administrator’s Report

David Dyer stated that for the sidewalk program we have been paying $75/square but the cost per square has gone up from $150/square to $175/square and he would like to start reimbursing $87.50/square to reflect that. No one had any objections to that.

Mayor Volkert thanked Alderman Hopping for presiding over last months meeting.

Alderman Olson moved and was seconded to move to executive session. The vote was 4 yeas and no nays.

SEE ATTACHED

Alderman Olson made a motion and was seconded to come out of executive session. The vote was 4 yeas and no nays.

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/062424.pdf