Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee City Council met Nov. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The November 25th, 2024, Council Meeting was called to order at 6:02pm. Councilmembers Colomer, Faber, Baker, and Komnick were present along with Mayor Moore, City Manager Gary Bradley, City Attorney Zac Lessard, and City Clerk Kasey Mitchell.

A motion to go into Closed Session to discuss Personnel Section 2(c)(1) and Collective Bargaining Section 2(c)(2) was made by Councilmember Faber and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Motion passed 5-0.

A motion to adjourn to regular session was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Colomer. Motion passed 5-0 and Closed Session was adjourned at 6:47pm.

The November 25th, 2024, Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers. Councilmember Colomer, Faber, Baker, and Komnick were present along with Mayor 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 November 12th

B. Payroll for the pay period ending November 16th in the amount of $214,440.51.

C. Staff Reports

D. Bock Report

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

Bills for the Council Meeting of November 25th were presented in the amount of $575,353.80. A motion to approve payment of the bills was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: Councilmember Colomer asked about a bill related to Fire Station 2. Fire Chief Welgat stated that we are still working with our insurance company and that we will be reimbursed for charges. Councilmember Faber asked about charges from Michlig and why there were so many. Operations Manager Kevin Newton mentioned that there are multiple tanks that are used for refueling and that is most likely the cause of multiple charges. The Mayor saw a payment to Advanced Asphalt who has been doing the resurfacing work on Lyle St. He wanted to let residents know that the project is almost complete. Motion passed 5-0.

Public Comments: None

New Business:

A. Presentation from Henry County Tourism Bureau

The city has an active agreement with the Henry County Tourism Bureau. Tonight, we will have a presentation by the recently hired Director, Kelly Wolf.

Ms. Wolf was originally hired as a consultant to help the group develop a 3–5-year plan for Tourism. She was then hired to be their director. Since then, the HCTB has become a certified Tourism Bureau which opens their ability to apply for grants. In October they launched a campaign called Explore Henry County. They also have a website that contains an event calendar that anyone can request events be added to. She looks forward to partnering with the City to promote Henry County.

B. Consideration of Bill 24-123: Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a TIF Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Kewanee and Hype, Inc. This ordinance would authorize the execution of a TIF agreement with Hype, Inc. for improvements to the buildings adjacent to Cerno’s.

The Mayor stated that the owner of Hype, Inc reached out and asked that this be tabled until he could get clarification on a few things. A motion to table was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: None. Motion passed 5-0.

C. Consideration of Bill 24-124: Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a TIF Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Kewanee and Cerno Properties. This ordinance would authorize the execution of a TIF agreement with Cerno Properties for the building that is being renovated just north of CoCo’s.

The Mayor stated that the owner of Cerno Properties reached out and asked that this be tabled until he could get clarification on a few things. A motion to table was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: None. Motion passed 5-0.

D. Consideration of Bill 24-125: Ordinance to amend Chapter 97 Streets and Sidewalks of the Kewanee City Code of Ordinances.

The city continues its efforts to clean up language and correct errors in current ordinances. This is for Chapter 97, dealing with streets, sidewalks and alleys.

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

E. Consideration of Bill 24-126: Ordinance to amend Chapter 94 Fire Prevention of the Kewanee City Code of Ordinances.

We continue to clean up our current ordinances. This time in Chapter 94, Fire Prevention. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Colomer. Discussion: Councilmember Baker asked if burn barrels were allowed and Fire Chief Welgat said they are not. Councilmember Faber asked for clarification on grass versus yard waste. Grass is typically still green, and yard waste is considered brown (branches, limbs, dried leaves). Motion passed 5-0.

F. Consideration of Bill 24-127: Ordinance abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2023 to pay the principal of, and interest on $3,755,00 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2012 of the City of Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois. This bill, and the next two, will be a vote to abate tax levies. These are general obligation bonds taken out by prior administrations. If we do not abate the taxes obligated for these bonds they will be added to property tax bills. The tax is levied if other sources of revenue are not sufficient to service the debt. When the revenues are enough to make the payments, we abate the levy to lower property taxes.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Faber. Discussion: Councilmember Colomer asked the City manager to explain these levies for residents who may not understand. The City took out bonds to help pre-pay for large projects. Each year the City must make principal and interest payments on the bonds. If the City does not have the money to make those payments, they the tax can be levied to keep it off the property taxes. Motion passed 5-0.

G. Consideration of Bill 24-128: Ordinance abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2023 to pay the principal of, and interest on $5,935,000 General Obligation Waterworks and Sewerage Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2013 of the City of Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois.

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

H. Consideration of Bill 24-129 Ordinance abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2024 to pay the principal of, and interest on $1,555,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2023A of the City of Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: None. Motion passed 5-0.

I. Discussion Only: Annual tax levy for 2024 payable in 2025

This is a discussion item. We will discuss the annual tax levy for 2024 payable in 2025. Finance Director James Webb informed the Council that each year the County gives an assessed value of properties so that we can predict the amount the City will receive in property taxes. Property values typically go up, but he recommends lowering the taxes. The Council still can raise or taxes if they wish or keep it the same. If they choose one of those options, a Truth in Taxation hearing would need to be held. Council favored the proposed numbers.

J. Discussion Only: Kewanee City Code of Ordinances Chapter 150

This is a discussion only; we will discuss proposed changes to Chapter 150 of the city ordinances.

Community Development Director Keith Edwards said that the main change in this chapter involves how the value of a job is assessed. The Council did not have any questions or concerns.

K. Discussion Only: Kewanee City Code of Ordinances Chapter 35 Fire Department We will discuss proposed changes in Chapter 35, Fire Department.

The Mayor asked about some numbers that conflicted and Fire Chief Welgat said that was a typo that will be fixed in the final copy. It was noted that the supply fee was increased by $10 but there was a concern about whether that would be enough. Chief Welgat stated he was comfortable with that number as they are sometimes able to pre-purchase supplies in bulk before prices increase, which saves money each year. Councilmember Colomer asked how much insurance pays and how that correlates to their payments. Chief Welgat said that insurance pays a set amount, and it doesn’t often change. It shouldn’t make a difference to our bottom line. The Council did not have any further questions or concerns.

Council Communications:

Baker: None

Komnick: He wished everyone a good holiday and reminded residents that when they shop this weekend to try and keep those tax dollars local.

Colomer: He reiterated what Councilmember Komnick said about shopping local and to be safe while out with so many people.

Faber: He reminded everyone to keep an eye out for the younger ones while out driving.

Mayor’s Communications:

Kewanee High School had several of their student athletes recognized for their athletic achievements. In volleyball, Macee Pickering was named to the Three Rivers All Conference 1st Team, Aaliyay Duarte was named to the 2nd team while Kendyl DeBlieck and Damaris Diaz were given honorable mention nods. Nolie Charlet received All-Conference in Cross Country and had a very successful year. Christian Diaz was named to the All-Conference 1st team in soccer, and getting 2nd team honors was Michael Bermudez and Tyson Currier. Getting Honorable Mention for their abilities on the soccer field were Ivan Ruiz, Alonso Corral, and Isidro Martinez.

A young man that he thinks very highly of, not just because he is a great football player, but also a very well-mannered and thoughtful young man, Alex Duarte was recognized with All-State honors because of his abilities on the football field.

Wethersfield’s student council will be hosting a free community meal on Sunday, December 8 at Wethersfield High School. It will start at 11am and end at 2pm. They will accept free will donations.

The Kewanee YMCA will hold their annual charity auction. All bidding will be online through Stenzel Auctions. Bidding will open on Friday, December 6, and end on Sunday, December 8 at 4pm. Items up for bid are already posted for you to view. They have a lot of nice things available.

Kewanee High School has announced their 2025 Class of State Scholars. Those students are: Lauren Powell, Rebecca Corral, William Ly, Benjamin Taylor, Brennen Ford, Marcus Guzman, Dillon Price, and Alex Duarte.

He has had a request for the city to consider limiting parking to one side of the road on Pine St. from Beach St. to Chautauqua Park. There are several neighbors making this request and it was brough to him through a spokesperson. City Manager Bradley replied that staff would look into it.

Announcements:

City Hall and the transfer station will be closed on Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. Thursday’s trash will be picked up on Friday and the FINAL landscape pick up for the year will be on Saturday. The last two potential burn days for this year will be Wednesday the 27th and Saturday the 30th.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Faber. Motion passed 5-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:46pm.

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