Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee City Council met Nov. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The November 12th, 2024, Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers. Councilmembers Colomer, Faber, Baker, and Komnick, were present along with Mayor Moore, City Manager Gary Bradley, and City Attorney Zac Lessard.

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 28th

B. Payroll for the pay period ending November 12th in the amount of $222,302.53.

C. Staff Reports

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

Bills for the October 15th Council Meeting were presented in the amount of $2,023,676.31.

A motion to approve payment of the bills was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Colomer. Discussion: Councilmember Colomer noted that there was a payment to Henry County for economic development in the amount of $6,254.50 and that it referenced an IGA and asked for clarification on what that is. The City Manager indicated that this is the final payment from an intergovernmental agreement with Henry County in which the communities of the county agreed to pay a per capita amount for three years to help fund the establishment of a full-time position for economic development at the county level. Henry County will take on the full cost of that expense going forward. Motion passed 5-0.

Swearing In: The City Manager administered the Oath of Office to Omar Carrera, Breck Cheesman, and Matthew Brody of the Public Works Department and Madison Allen of the Fire Department.

Public Comments: Ciara Washburn of 515 S. Cottage questioned what the process was for having a sign added on her street to warn drivers of the potential presence of an autistic child.

New Business:

A. Consideration of Bill 24-117: Resolution to set the dates for Council meetings for the 2025 calendar year

Each year at this time, we adopt a resolution establishing the dates for the City Council meetings of the coming calendar year.

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

B. Consideration of Bill 24-118: Ordinance to approve the subdivision known as Kewanee Northeast Industrial Park for property located at the southeast corner of Railroad Ave. and Coal Street

This creates a subdivision of a larger parcel, allowing the City to sell the individual lot that is established through the subdivision. This bill puts the city one step closer to establishing new industrial businesses that have the potential for more than 100 new jobs.

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

C. Consideration of Bill 24-119: Resolution authorizing the execution of documents that are necessary and proper to sell real property to ABB Properties, LLC. Having established the subdivision of property, this resolution authorizes the Mayor and staff to prepare and execute the documents that are necessary to sell the parcel to ABB Properties, LLC. ABB Properties plans to develop a cannabis grow facility at that location.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Faber and seconded by Councilmember Colomer. Discussion: None. Motion passed 4-1, with Councilmember Baker voting no.

D. Consideration of Bill 24-120: Resolution awarding the contract to Great Lakes Urban Forestry for the city-wide GIS tree inventory and management plan under the USDA IRA Urban and Community Forestry Grant.

The city was recently awarded a $220,685 Community Forestry Grant. Part of that grant includes the development of a GIS-based inventory and assessment of our existing canopy, along with a 10-year management plan. The City received 3 proposals, and believes that Great Lakes Urban Forestry had the best proposal given the costs, proposed scope of work, and proposed deliverables.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: There was consensus that of the proposals received, GLUF was the most comprehensive and it was noted that they are an Illinois firm. Motion passed 5-0.

E. Consideration of Bill 24-121: Ordinance to amend Chapter 77 Traffic Schedules of the Kewanee City Code of Ordinances.

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

F. Consideration of Bill 24-122: Ordinance to amend multiple chapters of the Kewanee City Codes related to traffic and traffic control devices.

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

G. Discussion Only: Update on Mobile Home Parks

Keith Edwards updated the City Council on his efforts to work with Colona-based Elite Outdoor Solutions on removal of junk and debris and mowing the tall grass and weeds. The contractor will be in town to work on the parks starting on November 21st and will stay however long it takes to get the property cleaned up to a minimally acceptable level. The City Manager indicated that Fire Department personnel had gone door to door to identify which units were occupied and found that 38 units are occupied, with 2 units occupied by squatters. Kevin Newton indicated that there is one active leak that the City is aware of and informed the Council of the Public Works’ plan for making the repair. There was some discussion about potential grants that can be used to make repairs to the parks in order to make them viable. The City is waiting on a response to one application. The City Manager stated that an answer on that grant award should be available within the next 2 months or so.

H. Discussion Only: E-Bikes

The council agreed with Chief Kijanowski’s assessment that the state statute adequately addresses the matter and that the City should avoid duplicative efforts to avoid reinventing the wheel.

I. Discussion Only: Parking

Chief Kijanowski noted that the ordinance in effect essentially prohibits on street parking and the approach traditionally taken by the City to limit on street parking to 72 hours. The Council indicated their support for the amended version presented to the City Council for their review. he Mayor stated that he believes the City is not receiving the desired results from KEDC for the money we contribute. The council agreed and directed staff to finish out the current year’s agreement and then stop funding the organization.

Council Communications:

Faber: He went to the Veterans Day program at Wethersfield and he was impressed with the event.

Baker: He agreed that it was a nice program. He complimented the police department for their efforts to keep the community safe and the work of Chief Kijanowski in his efforts to fill the “big shoes” left empty by the unexpected departure of former Police Chief Nick Welgat.

Komnick: He agreed with the previous comments, adding “and then I’ll throw the Fire Department and Public Works in, as well.”

Colomer: Thanked Veterans for their service.

Mayor’s Communications:

The Mayor noted that he had attended four Veterans Day events and that he enjoys the opportunity to attend Veterans Day events and thanked veterans for their service and their sacrifice, including the many veterans that work for the City, A&W Titans finished 21st in their class at the state Cross Country meet.

Announcements:

None

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by councilmember Faber. Motion passed 5-0 and the meeting adjourned at 7:43.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/kewaneeillinois/Minutes%2011-12-2024.pdf