Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee City Council met Oct. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The October 14th, 2025, Council Meeting was called to order at 6:02pm. Councilmembers Komnick, Colomer, Cernovich, and Baker 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), Sale or Lease of Real Estate Section 2(c)(6), and Litigation Section 2(c)(11) was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Motion passed 5-0.

A motion to adjourn to Regular Session was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Baker. Motion passed 5-0 and the Closed Session adjourned at 7:01pm.

The October 14th, 2025, Council Meeting was called to order at 7:07pm in the Council Chambers. Councilmembers Komnick, Colomer, Cernovich, and Baker 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 September 22, 2025.

B. Payroll for the pay period ending September 20th in the amount of $252,748.75 and payroll for the pay period ending October 4th in the amount of $255,293.57.

C. Staff Reports

D. Pumpkin Festival Street Closure

E. KHS Bonfire and Parade (Retroactive)

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

Bills for the Council Meeting of October 14th were presented in the amount of $2,141,893.32. 

A motion to approve payment of the bills was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Discussion: Councilmember Cernovich asked why we paid late fees to IMRF. Director of Finance, James Webb, stated that the process for paying them changed and he did not see the email until after the payment was due. Cernovich then questioned what the charges from CMT were for. They pertained to the permitting and work for the water line project. The demolition that was listed was for a house that was demolished. We reimburse up to 50% if the resident follows proper procedures. Legacy Fire recently did some work on our ladder truck that is “becoming of age.” They are now doing routine and preventative maintenance of the ladder truck for us. Councilmember Colomer asked about the tree removal from Blue Jay Tree Services, noting that it seemed lower that previous services. Public Works seeks out bids for these and bases the decision on cost and timing. Motion passed 5-0.

Public Comments: none

Swearing In: City Cler Mitchell wore in the new Public Works Director, Chris Berry. New Business:

A. Presentation: Nic Nelson, TIFs

Nic Nelson presented the Council with information regarding TIF options and programs. He also answered TIF related questions from the Council.

B. Bill 25-89 Ordinance approving the termination of the Kewanee Kentville Road 2001 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District redevelopment project area, plan and projects. 

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: This TIF is at the end of it’s cycle. It is often easier to end a TIF and create a new one rather than extend the life of one. Motion passed 5-0.

C. Bill 25-90 Resolution authorizing application to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for a Safe Routes to School grant in the amount of $250,000 to construct a sidewalk, ramps, and related improvements in the City of Kewanee. 

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Discussion: Part of this grant application is having a signed Resolution from the Council. Getting this grant will help extend the project already in motion, offering sidewalks further down on Lake St. Most of the planning has already been done and the City will still need to match 10%. Motion passed 5-0.

D. Bill 25-91 Resolution to affirm the Mayor’s recommendation for appointment to the Airport Board. 

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

E. Bill 25-92: Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with SMARSH for archiving services. 

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Discussion: The Council asked various clarifying questions regarding the offered services. Councilmember Komnick, himself working in IT, recommended following through with this as it could save significant staff time should the need arise. Motion passed 5-0.

F. Bill 25-93: Resolution authorizing the Fire Chief to execute documents that are necessary to accept an AFG Grant towards new Automatic External Defibrillators (AED’S).

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Baker and seconded by Councilmember Komnick. Discussion: Fire Chief Stephen Welgat stated that these AEDs are far more advanced than what most are used to. We have already accepted the grant, and this will allow him to actually purchase the equipment. Motion passed 5-0.

G. Bill 25-94 Resolution to award infrastructure improvements in the 100 block of North Lexington Ave.

A motion to approve was made by Councilmember Colomer and seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Discussion: There are no utilities under the surfaces that will be worked on. Crews will come back in after this work to take care of the street which may involve milling and some sort of sealing. Things are being done in the proper order. Motion passed 5-0.

H. Discussion Only: Waterworth

Courtney Brunson gave a brief overview of what Waterworth could offer the City of Kewanee. Their software would allow us to have a continuous and up to date “rate study” for our water and sewer charges. We would be able to do real time analysis to see where we are for infrastructure improvement needs. The Council had a few more questions for Waterworth and Ms. Brunson will seek answers and get those back to the Council.

I. Discussion Only: PW Trucks

Public Works Director Chris Berry informed the Council of two immediate vehicle needs for Public Works. They need a new snowplow as well as a truck for him. Our fleet is aging and becoming too expensive to fix and unsafe to operate. He let the Council know that he is working on options to purchase these as well as creating a long-term plan of vehicle replacement.

Council Communications:

Komnick: He reminded residents to enjoy the weather before things change to snow. Colomer: He welcomed Chris Berry to the team and said he looks forward to working with him.

Cernovich: He also welcomed Chris to the City.

Baker: He also welcomed Chris to the City.

Mayor’s Communications: He reminded residents of the upcoming Pumpkin Festival this Saturday from 10am to 3pm in the Downtown area. There is also an open house for the Woodland Palace on Saturday October 25 from 10am to 2pm.

Announcements:

Tornado Siren testing is done until March of 2026.

The annual fall cleanup by cemetery staff in the Kewanee Cemeteries is scheduled to begin 10/20/25 and end on 10/31/25.

• During this period, ALL DECORATIONS will be picked up and discarded.

• Anyone wishing to save their decorations must pick them up before October 20, 2025.

• 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 309-853-4649.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Cernovich and seconded by Councilmember Colomer. Motion passed 5-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 9:03pm.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/kewaneeillinois/Minutes%2010-14-25.pdf?t=202510281220420&t=202510281220420