Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee City Council met Oct. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The October 28th, 2024, Council Meeting was called to order at 7pm in the Council Chambers. Councilmembers Colomer, Faber, Baker, and Komnick were present along with Mayor Gary Moore, City Manager Gary Bradley, City Attorney Zac Lessard, and City Clerk Kasey Mitchell

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

The Consent Agenda was presented with the following items:

A. Minutes from the Council Meeting on October 15th

B. Payroll for the pay period ending October 19th in the amount of $234,660.17.

C. Staff Reports

D. Bock Report

E. Trick or Treat Hours and Street Closures

A motion to approve the consent agenda items was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Motion passed 5-0.

Bills for October 28th Council Meeting were presented in the amount of $782,456.58. A motion to approve the bills was made by Councilmember Faber and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: Councilmember Faber asked about the payment to Advanced Asphalt, wondering if that was for the 2024 street program. He was informed that it was the second payment for the Lyle St. project. Motion passed 5-0.

Public Comments: None

New Business:

A. Consideration of Bill 24-109: Ordinance amending Chapter 90: Abandoned Vehicles and Property established in the City of Kewanee Code of Ordinances.

As we go through current ordinances, we come across some that are outdated. When that happens, appropriate changes are suggested.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Faber. Discussion: None. Motion passed 5-0.

B. Consideration of Bill 24-110: Ordinance amending Chapter 95: Health, Safety and Sanitation established in the City of Kewanee Code of Ordinances.

This is another suggested change to an outdated ordinance

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: Councilmember Faber asked the City Manager to explain the updates. City Manager Bradley explained that this one was cleaning up some language and definitions to make things clearer. Motion passed 5-0.

C. Consideration of Bill 24-111: Resolution to award demolition work at 601 O’Dea St to Boers Excavating LLC.

In the city’s ongoing efforts to remove blighted structures, we request court orders for demolitions. When these orders are granted, we seek bids to have the structure torn down by a reputable and responsible bidder. Most often the awards are given to the lowest bidder.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Faber and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: Councilmember Faber noted that this is significantly higher than normal demos. The Mayor informed the Council that there is a fear of retribution, and the contractors will be taking and removing their equipment from the site each day. This is not a normal practice and therefore the price reflects that. Councilmember inquired if this would still qualify for the demo grant and Community Development Director Keith Edwards stated that it will. A member of the audience, Adam Cernovich, asked the Council if this money could be used elsewhere and if there was another option for this property. The Mayor responded that yes, the money could be used elsewhere but that this property has been a nuisance and a health and safety matter for decades and it needs to be dealt with. There are no other options for the property. Motion passed 5-0.

D. Consideration of Bill 24-112: Resolution authorizing the purchase of a Kubota SVL75-3 Skid Loader from Pillar Equipment, Inc for the City of Kewanee Public Works Department. The Department of Public Works has many responsibilities. To most effectively complete their tasks, they require many pieces of specialized equipment. This equipment helps to complete many jobs in-house and saves the city the added expense of contracting outside firms.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Faber. Discussion: Councilmember Colomer asked that, with a minimal difference between two of the proposals, was Public Works going to be satisfied with this equipment verses the slightly more expensive one. Public Works Operations Manager Kevin Newton stated that they had hands-on demos of each of the machines and that crews preferred this one. Motion passed 4-1 with Councilmember Faber being the sole “Nay” vote.

E. Consideration of Bill 24-113: Resolution to authorize an agreement with the lowest responsible energy supplier for the purchase of electrical energy for the City of Kewanee facilities starting January 2025.

As everyone knows, the cost of electricity is expensive. Consumers are allowed to select their supplier from Illinois-registered Retail Energy Suppliers. The city has and will continue to seek bids for the lowest responsible distributor of electricity.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Colomer. Discussion: None. Motion passed 5-0.

F. Consideration of Bill 24-114: Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute documents for the renewal of a self-funded insurance plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and other carriers for the plan year 2025.

The city makes every effort to find the lowest, yet most effective insurance for both the city’s needs and our employees. This ordinance, if passed, will continue an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: Councilmember Faber asked if there was much difference between the new year’s costs verses the current year. City Manager Bradley stated that costs are going up but that this was in line. This is also with the idea of renewing for four months and then starting a new plan that will run with our fiscal year and the collective bargaining units’ contracts. This will make it smoother for negotiations to have everything on the same timeline. Motion passed 5-0.

G. Consideration of Bill 24-115: Ordinance directing the sale of excess real estate located at 1105 Roseview Ave.

There are times when the city acquires ownership of land parcels within the city. Most often, it is in the best interest of the city to dispose of these parcels by the best means possible and return them to the tax base.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Faber. Discussion: None. Motion passed 5-0.

H. Consideration of Bill 24-116 Resolution to affirm the Mayor’s recommendation for appointments to various commissions and boards.

The city has several boards. The positions of these boards are held by citizens of Kewanee. Seats are vacated when someone chooses to step down, or often members request to be reinstated for a subsequent term. In this case we have two current members of the Fire and Police Commission that have requested to be reinstated to that board. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Faber. Discussion: None. Motion passed 5-0.

I. Discussion Only: Economic Development Funding Update

During the previous discussion regarding the City funding the KEDC, the Council came to the consensus to discontinue our agreement and cease the funding. The KEDC board president then met with the Mayor and City Manager where he asked that the Council consider funding at a lower level and working on tangible goals and communication to strengthen the partnership. After further discussion, the Council agreed that the funding should be stopped completely and they can work on goals to present to KEDC that may earn back the funding in the future.

Council Communications:

Colomer: Nothing

Faber: Nothing

Baker: Be mindful of Trick or Treaters this Thursday evening.

Komnick: Nothing

Mayor’s Communications:

He congratulated both KHS and WHS football teams for making the playoffs and wished them luck, as well as both volleyball teams entering regionals.

He congratulated the KHS marching band for placing 2nd out of 10 at the Marching Band Classic held at Western Illinois University.

Lately, he has been highlighting many of our local students for various achievements. Not only does this speak volumes for their characters but also the work that is being done by our school systems and parents. Each of them deserves a pat on the back for their part in raising such great people.

Announcements:

City Hall and the transfer station will be closed on Monday November 11th for Veteran’s Day. There will be no changes to the trash/recycling schedule.

Trick or Treating will be held on Thursday October 31st starting at 5pm. Please be respectful and only go to houses with the light on and take extra caution while driving that night.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Faber. The motion passed 5-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:54pm.

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