January 15, 2024 Minutes

EAST DUBUQUE CITY COUNCIL

261 Sinsinawa Avenue

East Dubuque, IL  61025

Monday

January 15, 2024

6:00 p.m.

Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

   1.  24-0109    Call to Order – Mayor Digman

Start Time: 6:00 p.m.

Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier, Alderperson Robey, Mayor Digman and Attorney Hess

   2.  24-0110    Staff Reports

                        a.  City Manager Report

Work the firefighters did in the old building. Was able to expose the brick work from the inside and the ceiling. The building has a concrete floor from the untrained eye the building looks good. Will have the engineer come and take a look to make sure everything looks good.

Recognize the work that Sgt. Cody Lange has done. He is a training officer and taking on more responsibilities. Sgt. Lange has been promoted to Asst. Chief of Police.

                        b.  Mayor Report

Kudos to the Public Works for the work on snow last week. Would like to also mention the Police and Firefighters for their efforts during last week's snow. Thank you for all your hard work.

                        c.  Alderperson Report

                               i.   Belken

                              ii.   Burgmeier

                             iii.   Degenhardt

                             iv.   Fluhr

                              v.   Meier

                             vi.   Robey

                        d.  City Attorney, Susan Hess

                        e.  Police Chief, Luke Kovacic

                               i.   December Monthly Report

                        f.  Public Works Director, Mark Fluhr/Tony VanOstrand

                        g.  Fire Chief, Joe Heim

                               i.   Swearing in Grant Gunderson

Grant has made his year this month and sworn in then able to sign the red book. This book was first signed in 1904.

   3.  24-0111    Speakers from the Floor

Gerold Podraza came back to speak to Council about reviving the Twin City Zephyr from Chicago to East Dubuque. Wanted to know if council would approve a resolution to study the feasibility of the Amtrac route. Filled the council in on placement of a depot on Wall St. between 5^th and 6^th St. Wanting the stop to be here so that money would stay in Illinois and not go to Iowa or Wisconsin.

   4.  24-0112    Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 01/02/24, Public Safety Report(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Approve Consent Agenda (City Council 01/02/24, Public Safety Report(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderperson Meier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried

NEW BUSINESS:

   5.  24-0113    Presentation and Proclamation that January 2024 as National Human Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, City Manager Seitz, Casey Klein

Been a member of the Tri-State Coalition Against Human Trafficking and active in prevention and training since 2014. Human trafficking is the harboring and transportation of obtaining a person for involuntary labor, sex trafficking done by fraud or coercion. This is against their wishes and needs to be stopped. Education is a way to stop this from happening. Have an upcoming training in the area on January 24, 2024.

Alderperson Robey asked about the Angel Shot. They have worked with the bars on knowing this code because these are not actually drinks but alerting staff and not the company the person is with. Angel shot with a lime or a twist – to call the police, Angel shot on ice/with ice/or on the rocks – when they need a ride ordered up for them finally an angel shot neat/straight up – when needed to be escorted to their vehicle.

Took photo after meeting with council members.

Then the mayor read the proclamation.

No action required.

   6.  24-0114    Executive Session: 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Personnel Matters / Mayor Digman, Interim City Manager Seitz

Did not need this tonight.

   7.  24-0115    Discussion and Possible Action on Matters Discussed in Executive Session in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Digman, Interim City Manager Seitz

Did not need this tonight.

   8.  24-0116    Adjourn

End Time: 6:57 p.m.

Motion by Alderperson Belken to Adjourn second by Alderperson Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderperson Belken, Alderperson Burgmeier, Alderperson Degenhardt, Alderperson Fluhr, Alderperson Meier and Alderperson Robey     Motion carried

Pam McCarthy

City Clerk, East Dubuque