Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee City Council met Feb. 10.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

The February 10, 2025, Council Meeting was called to order 6:02pm. Councilmembers Baker, Komnick, and Faber were present along with Mayor Moore, City Manager Gary Bradley, City Attorney Zac Lessard, and City Clerk Kasey Mitchell. Councilmember Colomer was absent.

A motion to go into Closed Session to discuss Personnel Section 2(c)(1), Sale or Lease of Real Estate Section 2(c)(6), and Discussion of Closed Meeting Minutes Section 2(c)(21) was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Motion passed 4-0.

Councilmember Colomer joined the closed session at 6:30pm.

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

The February 10th, 2025, Council Meeting was called to order at 7:01pm in the Council Chambers. 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.

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 January 27, 2025, and minutes from Closed Meetings on August 26, November 25, December 9, and January 27.

B. Payroll for the pay period ending January 25th in the amount of $237,479.24.

C. Staff Reports

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

Bills for the Council Meeting of February 10th were presented in the amount of $547,549.74. A motion to approve payment of the bills was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: None. Motion passed 5-0.

Public Comments:

John Looney: He is a candidate for the Black Hawk College Board. The reason he is running is that he feels Kewanee deserves representation when it comes to decisions. He also feels that the dual credit option for the local high schools is very important for our students and their families, and he would like to see that continue and expand. He thanked the Council for what they do, as he knows it is not easy to be an elected official.

Karen Rogula: She wanted to speak to the Council regarding the recent statement that was made in support of the City Manager, Gary Bradley. She has concerns that the City needs to raise water and sewer rates to complete needed upgrades, but they are looking to hire an Assistant to the City Manager. She noted that 2 positions were being hired but she did not realize that one position, Public Works Director, would be replacing the current staff member that is leaving at the end of the month.

Obrey Blumenshine: He wanted to know what value the Council thinks the Assistant position might bring to the City. He asked if the Council would be able to take some of the tasks off the current City Manager. Mr. Blumenshine was informed that with our type of government, City Manager Form, the Council is in place for advice, consent, and direction while the City Manager oversees day-to-day operations. The set-up that he was referencing would only be allowed in a Commissioner Form of government.

New Business:

A. Audit Presentation: James Webb, Director of Finance

This is presentation from our Finance Director, James Webb. It will highlight the city’s most recent audit report.

The FY24 Audit was conducted by Hopkins & Associates. Their findings letter was read, and key items were highlighted. Councilmember Colomer noted that in previous audits, we took a hit for interfund transfers but that was not part of the findings in this audit. Mr. Webb mentioned that previously they were not done in a timely and proper manner which made them difficult to track. Colomer also asked how soon month and year end documentation should be completed and when the audit is supposed to be completed each year. Mr. Webb replied that month end should be 5-7 days with year end being a couple of weeks. The audit is supposed to be completed by October of each year. Mayor Moore asked when we will be moving from a cash basis to an accrual basis and if that will make the audit easier. Mr. Webb stated that the process is already taking place but that it is time-consuming and that it will make the audit process more difficult. The Mayor then clarified for the audience that the City does not have $20 million just sitting in an account for us to spend. Most of our funds have restrictions on what that money can be used for as well as minimum thresholds that they cannot go under. Audience member Mr. Blumenshine asked a couple of questions regarding the audit. One of them was about deficit spending. Mr. Bradley replied that previously there was more money brought in [ARPA funds from the COVID time frame], and those funds were spent on capitol improvements as well as long-term/strategic model plans. Mr. Blumenshine also asked if there was anything that could be done to raise the funding amounts for the pensions without raising property taxes. Mr. Bradley stated that pensions are regulated by the State and therefore we cannot change the parameters. The only way to have more funds to put into the pensions would be to raise property taxes.

B. Consideration of Bill 25-12: Ordinance amending Chapter 153: Sign Regulations established in the City of Kewanee Code of Ordinances.

This will amend portions of city ordinances Chapter 153: Sign Regulations. This item first appeared during our last council meeting as a discussion item.

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

C. Consideration of Bill 25-13: Ordinance amending Chapter 155: Zoning Code established in the City of Kewanee Code of Ordinances.

This will amend portions of city ordinances Chapter 165: Zoning Code. This was also a discussion item at our last council meeting. With the upcoming cannabis grow facility and distribution store, we made additions that align with state law, as well as updated the rest of the ordinance.

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

D. Consideration of Bill 25-14: Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease agreement with the Henry County Humane Society or the lease of real property located on South Fisher Ave.

This is a lease agreement between the city and the Henry County Humane Society. We will enter into a new agreement for property near the recently constructed cemetery building. This will facilitate the construction of an updated shelter facility that is better suited to meet the needs of the community.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: None. Motion passed 4-0 with Councilmember Faber abstaining from the vote due to his connection with Friends of the Animals.

E. Consideration of Bill 25-15: Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Peerless Well & Pump for emergency repairs to Well #1. This resolution will authorize Gary Bradley to execute an agreement with Peerless Well & Pump for emergency repairs to well #1. Well #1 is necessary for potable water distribution from our north water treatment plant. Recently, a cable detached and fell into the well, causing an emergency situation. Peerless was called in to assess the situation and discovered the emergency as well as other significant repairs that are needed. Emergency situations provide for expedited procurement processes to accelerate the repair process. Peerless was called in because they are familiar with our system and have provided satisfactory service.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Faber. Discussion: Councilmember Colomer asked if we didn’t go out for bid because this was an emergency. City Manager Bradley agreed that was the situation. Also, because Peerless is familiar with our systems, they would have most likely been the lowest bid anyways. Motion passed 5-0.

F. Consideration of Bill 25-16: Resolution authorizing the Mayor, City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk to execute a power purchase agreement and other documents that are necessary and proper in the procurement of solar energy for municipal facilities owned by the City of Kewanee.

If passed, we will begin the solar project first discussed many years ago. This agreement will be between the city and Clean Energy Design Group. It will place solar panels on city owned property near the wastewater treatment plant.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: The City had previously entered into a similar agreement with CEDG but they were going to sign a contract with another company to finance the project. Since that time, that company has found other projects to do and decided not to join us. CEDG has agreed to finance the project themselves at the originally agreed prices. Motion passed 5-0.

G. Discussion Only: Text My Gov

The City Clerk gave a brief presentation on TextMyGov which is a program for municipalities to communicate with their residents. It can be used for informational purposes only or it can also be used for communication from residents regarding items like potholes or tall grass. The Council was interested in hearing more about the company and would like the City Clerk to seek references from similar sized municipalities who use the service.

Mayor’s Communications:

He extended condolences to the family of his good friend Andy Koehler. Mr. Koehler was a city employee who later became a Councilmember. He will be missed.

He also extended condolences to the family of Billy Greene who was the son of former Kewanee Police Officer Ceaser Greene.

The Mayor then congratulated many of our local students for their successes in academics and sports.

Council Communications:

Baker: Also extended condolences to the Koehler and Greene families.

Komnick: Reminded residents that with the coming weather, sidewalks should be cleared as well for the many kids and adults that walk.

Colomer: Also extended condolences to the Koehler and Greene families. He added that with the approaching weather, remember to check on elderly neighbors and those that may not get around well.

Faber: Extended condolences to the Koehler family. Andy was a good friend who he enjoyed talking with.

Announcements:

City Hall and the transfer station will be closed on Monday February 17th. There are no changes to the trash or recycling schedules for this closure.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember and seconded by Councilmember. Motion passed 5-0 and the meeting adjourned at 8:27pm.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/kewaneeillinois/Minutes%202-10-25.pdf