Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee City Council met March 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The March 10th, 2025, Council Meeting was called to order at 6:04pm. Councilmembers Colomer, Baker, and Komnick were present along with Mayor Moore, City Attorney Zac Lessard, and City Clerk Kasey Mitchell. Councilmember Faber was absent.

A motion to go into Closed Session to discuss Personnel Section 2(c)(1), Collective Bargaining Section 2(c)(2), and Discussion of Closed Meeting Minutes Section 2(c)(21) was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Colomer.

City Manager Gary Bradley joined the Closed Session at 6:37pm.

A motion to adjourn to Regular Session was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Closed Session adjourned at 6:47pm.

The March 10th, 2025, Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers. Councilmembers Colomer, Baker, and Komnick were present along with Mayor Moore, City Manager Gary Bradley, City Attorney Zac Lessard, and City Clerk Kasey Mitchell. Councilmember Faber was absent.

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 February 24, 2025, and minutes from Closed Meetings on February 24.

B. Payroll for the pay period ending February 22nd in the amount of $238,547.72.

C. Staff Reports

A motion to approve the consent agenda items was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Motion passed 4-0.

Bills for March 10th Council Meeting were presented in the amount of $1,120,933.73. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: None. Motion passed 4-0.

Public Comments: None

New Business:

A. Bill 25-17: Ordinance granting a Special Use Permit to Robert and Ruth Barnes for property located at 1047 N Main St.

From time to time a property owner request use of privately owned property that does not conform with city ordinances. The property owner can then request a special use permit for a variance to city ordinances. The case is first heard by the planning commission who gives a recommendation to the council.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Colomer. Discussion: Councilmember Baker asked for clarification about the property. The SUP allows them to have non-conforming vehicles on the property. The Mayor stated that he has been by the property at that it looks better than it did. Motion passed 4-0.

B. Bill 25-18 Resolution to authorize the City Manager and Fire Chief to amend an agreement with Kewanee Community Fire Protection District to supply EMS coverage to the residents of their district and to charge a fee for said services that will more adequately cover the costs of the Fire Department in providing such services.

The city has an existing agreement with KCFPD. The KCFPD provides fire protection for the Kewanee district outside city limits. The resolution will update the agreement the city has the KFCPD to provide ambulance services.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: Councilmember Colomer asked what area this included. Fire Chief Welgat that it includes areas outside of city in all directions up to other fire districts. Motion passed 4-0.

C. Bill 25-19 Resolution authorizing the extension of an agreement with the Henry County Humane Society for the maintenance and operation of the Animal Control Facility. This will extend the current agreement between the city and Henry County Humane Society for one additional year, at which time a request for proposals will be solicited.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: None. Motion passed 4-0.

D. Discussion Only: Solar, Fence, Pool Ordinance Review

This is a discussion item concerning ordinances involving solar, fences, and pools. We are continually updating ordinances, and this will be a review of the ordinances mentioned.

The Mayor appreciates the removal of unnecessary language. Community Development Director Keith Edwards stated that most of what he took out is already covered under the adoption of other building codes. The Council was good with the changes and asked to have them on the next agenda for a vote.

E. Discussion Only: Westgate Dr

Westgate Drive is a privately owned street within city limits. A resident of that street has requested the city assume ownership and control of Westgate Dr. In similar situations, when it proves to be mutually beneficial, the city has taken ownership of privately owned streets within city limits.

The one resident on the street approached the city about taking ownership. The Council did not see a benefit of this proposal. It would cost the city money in repairs and upkeep just for the benefit of one resident.

F. Discussion Only: Noon Whistle

Many Kewanee residents remember the “noon whistle.” It could be heard throughout Kewanee when the Kewanee Boiler Company was in full operation. There has been a request, for nostalgia purposes, to reestablish the noon whistle in Kewanee.

The Council said they could appreciate the nostalgia factor but did not see a reason, other than that, to have a noon whistle. It could create unnecessary confusion for residents and visitors. The Council mentioned doing a noon whistle when the memorial for the Boiler Shop is completed or on certain anniversaries for the shop, but not on a daily basis.

G. Discussion Only: Paper of Record

The City is required by law to establish a newspaper of record. Because the Kewanee Star Courier is not published in Kewanee and no longer reports on local issues with the regularity it once did, along with increased costs and longer lead times for publications, staff is recommending that the City take the official step of designating a competing newspaper as the City’s official newspaper of record.

Ideally, the city would be allowed to advertise on local online publications. However, that goes against Illinois State statute. The Star Courier does not publish local news anymore. They are difficult to contact, and their prices are higher. The Quad City Times, for example, has a larger publication radius, is quicker to publish, and is significantly cheaper than the Star Courier. The Council agreed to move forward with this.

Council Communications:

Colomer: With the weather getting nicer, watch out for kids playing.

Baker: Nothing

Komnick: He appreciated seeing the LRS report in the packet. He asked if they could add more information to it. He would like to see the number of repeat calls for the same issue and repeat issues.

Mayor’s Communications: Nothing

Announcements:

* Landscape waste pickup will begin in April. After discussions with LRS, the decision has been made to move pickup back to Mondays. April 7th will be the first collection date. Residents are reminded that an LRS sticker must be placed on each bag. They are $1.50 each and can be purchased at City Hall, both Beck’s Locations, JoJo’s, Farm King, and Wal-Mart.

* Another reminder to residents, burning of landscape is not allowed until April.

* The annual spring clean-up by cemetery staff in the Kewanee Cemeteries is scheduled to begin March 20, and end on March 31. During this period, all decorations will be picked up and discarded. Anyone wishing to save their decorations must pick them up before March 20. The Cemetery Department asks that no new decorations be put out until after the clean-up period has ended. This clean-up applies to Pleasant View, South Pleasant View, Mount Olivet, St. Mary’s, Kewanee, Russian, and Wethersfield Cemeteries. If there are any questions, please contact the Sexton's office at 853-4649.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Motion passed 4-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:23p.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/kewaneeillinois/Minutes%203-10-25.pdf