February 21, 2023 Minutes
EAST DUBUQUE CITY COUNCIL
261 Sinsinawa Avenue
East Dubuque, IL 61025
Tuesday
February 21, 2023
6:00 p.m.
Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance
1. 23-0215 Call to Order – Mayor
Start Time: 6:00 p.m.
Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffman, Alderman Walsh and Attorney Kurt
2. 23-0216 Staff Reports
i. Dispensary Update
The second dispensary is moving to final design. Jim Straus also shared some industry information that is included in your packet.
ii. Fire Chief Joe Heim Recognition
Chief Joe Heim received his Chief Fire Officer redesignation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. He was one of 1766 Chief Fire Officers internationally.
iii. Salary Information
Self-explanatory. Just information on what a City Managers annual salary is.
iv. Thank you from Sharon Pepin Family
John Digman asked if the car show could use the 91 Sinsinawa Ave area for additional space. If it would be ok, they would like to see what it would take to put temporary asphalt down so the cars are not parking on gravel.
Alderman Belken, Burgmeier and Mayor Degenhardt would like to see them use it till the Fire Station is ready to be built.
Ice Storm Warning tomorrow for Jo Daviess and Hwy 20 corridor.
b. Mayor Report
March 9th is the mayors meeting at Timmerman’s. Hope for a good turnout.
c. Alderman Report
i. Belken
Next week can start putting up election signs.
ii. Burgmeier
With the salary information the city needs to start looking for new City Manager. Need to get the ball rolling. Think it might be a tough time to get someone with all the trash that has happened the last year. Find out what it is going to cost.
Would talk with Pat Callahan who does executive searches. Well known in the area.
iii. Fluhr
Is there a dispensary coming in on Hwy 20? Not at this time but there is room for one more. Did have another dispensary looking but have not heard from them. Can reach out to them.
iv. Hoffmann
George Murphy wondering about property. Working on it. We approved George getting the property. It is a 20’ property so both sides would get 10’ but if George is expecting all 20’ then the City will have to sell it as surplus. Thought had discussed it as 10’. Did not see in minutes.
Katherine Kelly asking about Duplex next to library. Attorneys are still working on this. Will be discussed in Executive Session.
Might have to change the Itinerant Merchants ordinance because of something in IML newsletter about food trucks.
v. Walsh
d. City Attorney, Terry Kurt
e. Police Chief, Luke Kovacic
i. Clerical Help
Pam McCarthy has stepped up and will be helping the Police Department.
ii. Update on Temporary Police Department Building
The temporary building is in place as of today. Anyone can come and look.
iii. Police Officer Advertisement
Have place ads in the Galena Gazette and Telegraph Herald. Taking applications until March 17th. If you know of someone let them know.
f. Public Works Director, Mark Fluhr
g. Fire Chief, Joe Heim
i. Firetruck Referendum
This referendum is going toward two fire trucks which is replacing three trucks. This will put them in a better position in years to come. They are downsizing and being smart with the money they would get. They will be having open houses.
City Manager Herrig – Recommend people to vote yes for the referendum. The need is there.
Mayor Degenhardt – Keep doing a good job.
3. 23-0217 Speakers from the Floor
No speakers.
4. 23-0218 Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 02/06/23, Public Safety Report(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)
Motion by Alderman Walsh to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 02/06/23, Public Safety Report(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderman Belken ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
NEW BUSINESS:
5. 23-0219 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Gramercy Park Financial Report in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Required to present the annual report to the city.
Could not exist without all the volunteer help.
Does an excellent job of managing funds.
A true jewel for our community.
Motion by Alderman Walsh to Approve Gramercy Park Financial Report second by Mayor Degenhardt ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
6. 23-0220 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Water Services Study by WHKS in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Start by trying to get the pipe upgraded and was denied from the Railroad. Trying to get a better system for down in the Flats area. When flushing hydrants they lose water. The best thing for the area is to get better water system to them. Asking WHKS to do a study that would be a dependable water source. This is area really is in need of new water system.
Dan Hingtgen – How long have the pipes been in the ground? What is happening is that over time the buildup is now making that pipe a 2” pipe. Find best places for 6 to 8” line. Probably will have to be done in phases.
Water Tower will be ready to go online by July or August. Looking at everything to make sure that we don’t have water main breaks when we finally go on line.
$1,200 study to figure what is the best way of getting water to the Flats area. Note this will be a multi-phase project.
Alderman Walsh – What does it build up with? Calcium deposit.
Motion by Alderman Walsh to Approve Water Services Study by WHKS second by Alderman Fluhr ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
7. 23-0221 Executive Session: 5ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Motion by Alderman Belken to Go into Executive Session second by Alderman Walsh ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
Motion by Alderman Walsh to Leave Executive Session second by Alderman Belken ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
8. 23-0222 Discussion and Possible Action on Matters Discussed in Executive Session in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Motion by Alderman Burgmeier to Proceed with What Was Discussed in Executive Session second by Alderman Walsh ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
9. 23-0223 Adjourn
End Time: 6:58 p.m.
Motion by Alderman Belken to Adjourn second by Alderman Walsh ROLL CALL:
Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
Pam McCarthy
City Clerk, East Dubuque
