December 16, 2024 Minutes

EAST DUBUQUE CITY COUNCIL
261 Sinsinawa Avenue
East Dubuque, IL  61025
Monday
December 16, 2024
6:00 pm

Mayor noted that we were having technical difficulty with the video and that in the morning the audio would be placed on the website.
Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance
    1.    24-1210    Call to Order – Mayor Digman
Start Time: 6:00 pm
Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Robey, Mayor Digman and Attorney Hess    Absent – Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier
    2.    24-1211    Staff Reports
    a.    City Manager Report
    b.    Mayor Report
Would like to thank the public works department, police department and fire department for all they did with this last weekend ice storm. They did a fantastic job. 
The gentleman that purchased the duplex from the city has met his contingency obligation by the December 10th deadline. Which then means the deed will be transferred over to him. This transaction was a win for the city. We got rid of an eye sore and put another property back on the tax roll. 
All city surplus for sale is listed on the city website. All items were also listed in last week’s Galena Gazette.
Want to bring up some information on the Jo Daviess Small Business Development Fund. To encourage local entrepreneurs and businesses to start, advance and expand their operations. This fund is intended to serve as a source of financing, to aid with pilot projects, and to fill gaps not filled by equity and traditional capital. Awards are dispersed on a case-by-case basis. The fund has requirements, is competitive and the amount of funds awarded is subject to availability. If you have any questions, please contact NWILED at 815.297.7361. Applications are available on the JDC and NWILED websites. 
    c.    Alderperson Report
    i.    Belken
Wanted to thank the Mayor and City Manager for the opportunity to walk through NuEra before they opened. Would like to wish everyone in the community a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
    ii.    Burgmeier
    iii.    Degenhardt
    iv.    Fluhr
    v.    Meier
    vi.    Robey
Do not know why we allowed NuEra to put that in as a building. It looks terrible. Looks like a bunch of box cars stuffed together. She has gotten more calls and more complaints. We are setting a precedence on what we are going to allow in our community. I think we need to relook at that and see if there is some way they can put a facia or something to make it look more appealing. 
    d.    City Attorney, Susan Hess
    e.    Police Chief, Luke Kovacic
    i.    November had 380 Calls
    f.    Public Works Director, Tony VanOstrand
    g.    Fire Chief, Joe Heim
    3.    24-1212    Speakers from the Floor
No Speakers. 
    4.    24-1213    Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 12/02/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)
Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 12/02/24, Public Safety Reports(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderperson Degenhardt    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier
NEW BUSINESS:
    5.    24-1214    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve An Ordinance for Tax Levy Year 2025 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz
The best part of it is we are looking at a 5% decrease from last year for our taxes. The new dispensary revenues were not taken into account because we really do not know what those revenues are going to be. The numbers used to come up with the tax cut were the budget and the budget vs. actual for the current year. 
The new dispensary revenues will be used to pay down debt and will be used to address issues with our infrastructure.
Motion by Alderperson Robey to Approve An Ordinance for Tax Levy Year 2025 second by Alderperson Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier
    6.    24-1215    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ambulance Rates Beginning January 1, 2025 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz
This does not affect Medicare and Medicaid, just insurance. This was raised by 25% from last year.
Motion by Alderperson Degenhardt to Approve Ambulance Rates Beginning January 1, 2025 second by Alderperson Belken    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier
    7.    24-1216    Adjourn
End Time: 6:09 pm
Motion by Alderperson Belken to Adjourn second by Alderperson Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt and Alderperson Robey    Motion carried    Absent – Alderperson Fluhr and Alderperson Meier
Pam McCarthy
City Clerk, East Dubuque