Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee City Council met June 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The June 23rd, 2025, Council Meeting was called to order at 6:14pm. Councilmembers Cernovich, Baker, and Colomer were present along with Mayor Moore, City Manager Gary Bradley, and City Attorney Zac Lessard. Councilmember Komnick and City Clerk Kasey Mitchell were absent.

A motion to go into Closed Session to discuss Personnel Section 2(c)(1), Litigation Section 2(c)(11), was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Motion passed 4-0.

A motion to adjourn to Regular Session was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Motion passed 4-0 and Closed Session was adjourned at 7:02pm.

The June 23rd, 2025, Council Meeting to order at 7:06pm in the Council Chambers. Councilmembers Colomer, Cernovich, and Baker, were present along with Mayor Moore, City Manager Gary Bradley, and City Attorney Zac Lessard. Councilmember Komnick and City Clerk Kasey Mitchell were 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 June 9th, 2025.

B. Payroll for the pay period ending June 14th in the amount of $261,081.38.

C. Staff Reports

D. Bock Report

E. Chamber of Commerce Fireworks Permit

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

Bills for the Council Meeting of June 23rd were presented in the amount of $252,236.37. A motion to approve payment of the bills was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Discussion: None Motion passed 4-0.

Public Comments: Sara Renfro of 411 S. Vine raised concerns about localized flooding in the area, particularly after heavy rains, and expressed concerns that the storm drains might be plugged with debris. She also provided photos of the flooding that were passed amongst the City Council. She wanted to know when the issue would be fixed. The City Manager indicated that after having a chance to speak with Public Works, they could figure out a plan and then provide additional information.

New Business:

A. Presentation: Sarah Bambas, Bi-State Regional Commission

Ms. Bambas presented to the City Council about the Commission's ability to assist with the development of grant applications, comprehensive plans and similar studies, mapping, and other services. It was noted that the City is a member of Bi- State, that we've used them for the development of such plans and studies such as the recently adopted Traffic Safety Action Plan, and that we've used them for the development of maps and grant applications.

B. Bill 25-61 Resolution in support of the Illinois America250 Commemoration.

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

C. Bill 25-62 Resolution authorizing the City Manager, Fire Chief, and City Clerk to execute a lease agreement with BD Pyxis for hardware and software for security and tracking purposes for the City of Kewanee Fire Department.

This resolution would authorize the execution of an agreement for a new tracking and distribution service for medications and drugs handled by the Fire Department on EMS calls.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Discussion: Chief Welgat stated that this was discussed during a budget work session and is in the proposed budget, but that it is being brought to the council because the contract term is 5 years. The system will track the medications and certain supplies that are controlled so that we know not just the quantity, but also expiration dates and can swap soon to expire medications with the hospital, which would use them before they expire. Security is enhanced because each employee has their own code and biometrics, and it will save money because we won't have to replace expired medication. Motion passed 4-0.

D. Bill 25-63 Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with CMT for engineering services related to the Source Water Improvement Project, Water Service Line Scale Analysis, and Copper Pitting Study.

It is the City's desire to supply our customers with the best services possible. At the last meeting, we approved future rate increases so that we can make improvements to our infrastructure. Those improvements need to be designed. Passing this resolution will be a significant step towards meeting concerns from the Illinois EPA, and keeping water services within City control.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Discussion: Scott DeSplinter of CMT provided a summary of the scope of work that would be completed under the agreement. Mayor Moore asked what studies had been done to ensure that the proposed wells would work. Mr. DeSplinter listed the wells looked at during the project planning phase, those being both Baker Park and Blackhawk East, looking at chloride levels, yield and water quality, but there are no guarantees with well drilling. In the event we drill wells and they don't produce enough water to remediate the chloride issues, we would have to go back to the IEPA for some other type of relief. Councilmember Cernovich asked about the condition of the existing wells and whether or not we should just drill the wells. Mr. DeSplinter clarified that a test well is the same as a regular well, except that the regular well has been tested and had the equipment installed (i.e. the test well becomes the well once the casing and pump is installed). Councilmember Cernovich questioned the overall value that the City would be getting for the total amount spent on engineering from the infancy of the project through bidding and construction inspection, each of which are separate from this agreement, along with the timing of the engineering process. Mr. DeSplinter clarified that designing the second well isn't much different than the design for the first, so they economize where possible, but there is work involved in putting together the funding applications and that the timelines for the state's forgivable Revolving Loan Fund is why the process is scheduled to take as long as indicated, and that the project ould be completed sooner if the City could identify an alternate source of funding. Councilmember Cernovich asked for clarification about the ownership of the documents and associated language in the contract and was assured that the City would owned the signed and stamped plans and that the warning included in the contract language refers to the concept it being at the City's risk if it were trying to apply the plans somewhere other than where they are designed for.

Mayor's Communications: Retail sales are up just over 15% compared to the first quarter of the previous year. This far outpaces the growth in CPI. He also reminded drivers to be extra cautious with kids out. The child involved in the accident at Tenney & Church is doing well and was recently able to participate in his first game with the Kewanee A's baseball team. He noted that we're dealing with dangerous temperatures and encouraged people to look out for their friends, family, and neighbors. The City Clerk is doing well after her surgery.

Council Communications:

Colomer: Echoed the Mayor's comment about watching out for kids, especially since some sidewalks aren't the best and kids use the street, instead.

Cernovich: Didn't have anything but the Mayor brought up baseball. The 13-U team were runners up in the Global-State tournament in Peoria, while the 12-U team won.

The Mayor asked how the Nolan Keane Tournament went and Councilmember Colomer provided a short summary.

Baker: He remembers when many residents were bashing city officials about the water, so he hopes those same people are paying attention to how much is involved with the work, the complexity of the project, and the seriousness of everything and suggested that they should give the City Council a break sometimes, then commended the group on their efforts and work.

Announcements: City Hall and the Transfer Station will be closed on Friday July 4th. There will be no changes to the trash or recycling schedule.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Discussion: None. Motion passed 4-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:50pm.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/kewaneeillinois/Minutes%206-23-25-2.pdf