NW Illinois News

City of Galena City Council met March 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

24C-0097 – CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Renner called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Chambers at 101 Green Street on 25 March 2024.

24C-0098 – ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, Johnson, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner.

Absent: Kieffer

24C-0099 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.

24C-0100 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge was recited.

24C-0101 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

No reports.

24C-0102 – CITIZENS COMMENTS

Matt Carroll, 407 Meeker Street – Carroll spoke in favor of item 24C-0110, the purchase of electric vehicle charging stations for public parking lots.

CONSENT AGENDA CA24-06

24C-0103 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 11, 2024

24C-0104 – APPROVAL OF JANITORIAL CONTRACTS WITH MARY HALSTEAD, WHITE CONSTRUCTION, AND KAREN WHITE FOR THE PERIOD MAY 1, 2024-APRIL 30, 2025

24C-0105 – APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY ALICIA EDMONDS AND MEGAN WEBER FOR THE SIXTH ANNUAL “CAUSE I’M HALF CRAZY” HALF MARATHON ON THE GALENA RIVER TRAIL, OCTOBER 26, 2024, 7:00 A.M. TO NOON

Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve Consent Agenda CA24-06. Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

24C-0106 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ZONING CALENDAR NO. 24PDA-01, AN APPLICATION BY CHAINS AND LINKS, INC. TO REZONE PART OF LOT 6 OF THE GALENA SQUARE PUD TO PUD WITH AN UNDERLYNG DISTRICT OF HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve Zoning Calendar No. 24PDA-01, an application by Chains and Links, Inc. to rezone part of Lot 6 of the Galena Square PUD to PUD with an Underlying District of High Density Residential, 24C-0106.

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer

The motion carried.

24C-0107 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE REZONING PART OF LOT 6 OF THE GALENA SQUARE PUD FROM PUD WITH AN UNDERLYING DISTRICT OF PLANNED COMMERCIAL/AUTOMOBILE ORIENTED TO PUD WITH AN UNDERLYING DISTRICT OF HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL

Motion: Westemeier moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve the first reading, waive the second reading of an ordinance rezoning part of Lot 6 of the Galena Square PUD from PUD with an underlying district of Planned Commercial/Automobile Oriented to PUD with an Underlying District of High Density Residential, 24C-0107.

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer

The motion carried.

24C-0108 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ZONING CALENDAR NO 24PA-01, AN APPLICATION BY CHRIS EHLINGER TO REZONE TWO PARCELS AT 707 GEAR STREET FROM LIMITED AGRICULTURAL TO LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Johnson, to approve Zoning Calendar No. 24PA-01, an application by Chris Ehlinger to rezone two parcels at 707 Gear Street from Limited Agricultural to Low Density Residential, 24C-0108.

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Tegtmeyer, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer

The motion carried.

24C-0109 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE TWO PARCELS AT 707 GEAR STREET FROM LIMITED AGRICULTURAL TO LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL

Motion: Tegtmeyer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve the first reading, waive the second reading of an ordinance rezoning two parcels at 707 Gear Street from Limited Agricultural to Low Density Residential, 24C-0109.

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer

The motion carried.

24C-0110 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE PURCHASE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS FOR PUBLIC PARKING LOTS

Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the purchase of electric vehicle charging stations for public parking lots, 24C-0110.

Discussion: Johnson questioned if the cost of these would come out of the budget for the renovations at 403 S. Main Street. Moran advised the upcoming budget includes $275,000 dedicated to the new restrooms at 403 S. Main Street. The three chargers at that location would come out of that amount; however, if funds run low, there is a surplus in the shuttle fund that can also be used. The shuttle fund obtains revenues from parking fees.

Bernstein feels it is important to move forward on this, as electric vehicles are not going away.

Wienen fully supported the purchase stating we cannot claim to be “Green Galena” if we don’t do this. She would like to take it one step further and see if VisitGalena would donate some of their funds towards the purchase.

Mayor Renner agreed it was a great idea to add electric vehicle chargers to all of the parking lots.

Tegtmeyer agreed they are great and recommended continuing to look for available grants with infrastructure money to get more or to support what we are currently doing. She further recommended increasing signage to let people know where to find them.

Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Johnson, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer

The motion carried.

24C-0111 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGES TO THE CITY OF GALENA PERSONNEL AND POLICY HANDBOOK

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve a resolution approving changes to the City of Galena Personnel and Policy Handbook, 24C-0111.

Discussion: Wienen thought the changes were fabulous and noted page 156 refers to a Social Media Coordinator. She questioned if that needed to be changed to Facilities Manager.

The council was happy with the changes. Some of the changes were state mandated changes.

Roll Call: AYES: Johnson, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer

The motion carried.

24C-0112 – WARRANTS

Motion: Johnson moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to approve the Warrants as presented with the addition of a warrant to Menards in the amount of $167.98 for Police Department steps and a warrant to Sydney Einsweiler in the amount of $228 for lifeguard training, 24C-0112.

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Bernstein, Johnson, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSTAIN: Wienen

ABSENT: Kieffer

The motion carried.

24C-0113 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS

Bridge Lights – Wienen asked for an update on the status of the lights on the bridge. Moran advised the lights are in and are being stored in Dubuque. The dampers are on backorder until May.

Highway – Westemeier stated the highway is coming along nicely. People can finally see how the highway is going to be cut into the hill.

Electricity – Bernstein stated she noticed the high cost of electricity on the warrants and is hopeful we can find some way to cut that down.

Alderman Kieffer – Johnson sends her thoughts and prayers to Alderman Kieffer on a speedy recovery.

Website – Tegtmeyer advised the new website will be launched on April 2, 2024.

24C-0114 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Budget Work Session – The first budget work session will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be live streamed.

403 S. Main Street – Progress is being made on the plans for 403 S. Main Street. Bids will go out in April. The initial phase will include geothermal and solar on the back part of the roof.

Website – The new website will go live on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Thank you – Moran thanked Jennifer Schmidt for taking on the unenviable task of updating the personnel handbook.

24C-0115 – MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Renner reminded council of the budget work session next Monday and thanked Jennifer Schmidt for her work on the personnel handbook.

24C-0116 - MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Tegtmeyer, to recess to Executive Session to discuss the following:

∙ Section 2 (c) (2) – Collective negotiating matters and deliberations concerning salary schedules.

∙ Section 2 (c) (11) – Pending, Probable or Imminent Litigation.

∙ Section 2 (c) (21) – Review of Executive Session Minutes.

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Johnson, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer

The motion carried.

The meeting recessed at 6:50 p.m.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:26 p.m.

24C-0117 – ADJOURNMENT

Motion: Wienen moved, seconded by Westemeier, to adjourn.

Discussion: None.

Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Johnson, Tegtmeyer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Kieffer

The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/Council_Packet_04_5910EE11BE65F.pdf