Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee City Council met Aug. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The August 25th, 2025, Council Meeting was called to order at 6:02pm. Councilmembers Colomer, Cernovich, and Komnick were present along with Mayor Moore, City Manager Gary Bradley, City Attorney Zac Lessard, and City Clerk Kasey Mitchell. Councilmember Baker was absent.

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

A motion to adjourn to Regular Session was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Motion passed 4-0 and Closed Session adjourned at 6:51pm.

The August 25th, 2025, Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm. Councilmembers Colomer, Cernovich, and Komnick were present along with Mayor Moore, City Manager Gary Bradley, City Attorney Zac Lessard, and City Clerk Kasey Mitchell. Councilmember Baker 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 August 11th, 2025.

B. Payroll for the pay period ending August 9th in the amount of $246,115.27.

C. Staff Reports

D. Bock Report

E. CUSD #230 Fireworks

F. CUSD #230 Homecoming Parade

G. Cerno’s Hog Days Alley Closure

H. Step Ladder Tag Days

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

Bills for the August 25th Council Meeting were presented in the amount of $305,225.75. A motion to approve payment of the bills was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Discussion: Councilmember Komnick asked about Amazon charges. The price of a shovel seemed extremely high. It was for multiple. Councilmember Cernovich asked that the Hutchison charges be more descriptive, so they know which projects they are for and which are covered by grants. Motion passed 4- 0.

Public Comments: None

New Business:

A. Proclamation: 2025 Constitution Week

I will read a proclamation honoring 2025 Constitution Week.

The Mayor read the proclamation and then took pictures with member of DAR.

B. Bill 25-76 An Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a TIF Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Kewanee and Robert A. Johnson and Johnson Appliance.

This bill will bring an agreement between the City of Kewanee and Johnson’s Appliance, located at 114 N. Chestnut St.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Colomer. Discussion: There is not an official estimate included with the application because the work has already been done and we would receive the invoices. This application was received before the Council has agreed to not fund roofing projects. Councilmembers agreed that there might be better options for funding this and we need to make sure business owners are aware. There are no other outstanding TIF applications that would be affected by this. Motion passed 3-1.

C. Bill 25-77 Ordinance amending Section 97.088 Walk Built or Replaced by Private Individuals established in the City of Kewanee Code of Ordinances.

This bill will increase the reimbursement amounts of the City’s sidewalk replacement program.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Discussion: This includes the changes that were previously discussed. Motion passed 4-0.

D. Bill 25-78 Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Solar on Earth for participation in a community solar program.

This is a resolution that will save the City 20% on electric bills. The agreement with Solar On Earth has the potential to save the City approximately two million dollars over the life of the agreement.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Discussion: This will work like a rebate due to the timing of the City paying the bill and receiving credits from Solar on Earth. Motion passed 4-0.

E. Bill 25-79: Resolution fixing the budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025, and ending April 30, 2026

Every year, by law, we are required to set a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This resolution is a product of a lot hours, research, cuts, and number crunching. I encourage anyone listening to look at this meeting’s packet and review the budget. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Discussion: Councilmember Cernovich pointed out that the expenses were greater than the revenue asked the City Manager to explain that for residents. Some of the expenses will be paid with funds that have been saved up for larger projects that will be completed. There is also grant funds that were received in the previous fiscal year that will be spent in the current fiscal year. Projected spending is in line with projected income. Motion passed 4-0.

F. Bill 25-80: Resolution to appropriate Kewanee Non-Home Rule Sales Tax matching funds for an Illinois Department of Transportation, Safe Routes To School project, section 22-00- 111-00-sw, commonly known as the Lake Street Safe Routes To School project and authorizing an agreement with Illinois Department of Transportation for said project. This resolution appropriates the City’s match for the sidewalk project on Lake Street. The state wants to make sure that the City’s funds are in place before they let the project. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Colomer. Discussion: Councilmember Cernovich asked what the scope of the project was. This will put a sidewalk on the North side of Lake St from the school to the Regan Townhomes. The City is seeking other funding for additional sidewalks to be installed from the Townhomes to Lakeland Terrace. The State is treating this more like a street project than a sidewalk because of the work that has to be done to the streets to make it all work. All of this is included in the cost. The project will be let in November and work will begin this spring. Motion passed 4-0.

G. Bill 25-81: Resolution to declare certain equipment excess and no longer required in the operations of the City of Kewanee and directing the City Manager to dispose of same. The city upgrades or replaces equipment as our needs require. This resolution will authorize the city manager to dispose of equipment no longer needed for day-to-day operations. Items being disposed of are listed in our current council packet. A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Discussion: Councilmember Cernovich asked if these items had a dollar value. Staff do not want to put that on the resolution because they will most likely go on a bidding website in hopes of getting the most out of the items worth selling. Motion passed 4-0.

H. Bill 25-82: Resolution to award demolition work at 340 Fifth Ave to the lowest responsible bidder.

The city is continuing in its efforts remove dilapidated buildings that have become a blight to some neighborhoods. This resolution will authorize the demolition of such a building at 340 Fifth Ave.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Komnick and seconded by Councilmember Colomer. Discussion: There was a large difference in the bid amounts. One bidder is local while the others were from the Chicago and St. Louis areas. Councilmember Cernovich asked if it would be prudent to wait until after the next tax sale in November. It is possible that this property might be available and purchased at that time. We would then have to waive the liens on the property. Maybe we could save money and not do the demo. Director of Community Development Keith Edwards stated that this property is a true nuisance and has been abandoned for as long as he can remember. If he presses pause and a new owner is established, it will start the clock over to be able to do something about the property. He also needs to use the grant money before the deadline. Council decided to go with the Nanninga concrete and brick fill option. Motion passed 4-0.

I. Discussion Only: 1% Retailers’ Occupation Tax

The discussion item will deal with non-home rule 1% Retailers Occupation Tax.

J. Discussion Only: Public Sector Use of TIF

Our second discussion item is related to Public Sector Uses of TIF.

Council Communications:

Komnick: Labor Day weekend means Hog Days. He hopes everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend. There is a lot to partake in, so take advantage of that. They are always looking for volunteers for porkchops as well.

Colomer: He hopes everyone has a safe and enjoyable Hog Days.

Cernovich: He also hopes everyone has a safe and enjoyable Hog Days. This is a community event that is part of our identity. He appreciates and thanks to all those that have been working to make the downtown look nice.

Mayor’s Communications: The City received word that we were awarded another grant to help with the replacement of lead service lines. We have now been awarded roughly $1 million to help with this. While that is a lot of money, it is just a fraction of what will be needed to complete the project.

Announcements: City Hall and the Transfer Station will be closed on Monday September 1st. All LRS service days will be postponed by one day next week.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Motion passed 4-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 8:34pm.

http://www.cityofkewanee.com/government/city_council/agendas_and_minutes/index.php