March 28, 2022 Minutes

April 12, 2022

EAST DUBUQUE CITY COUNCIL

261 Sinsinawa Avenue

East Dubuque, IL  61025

MONDAY

March 28, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

   1.  22-0320    Call to Order – Mayor

Start Time: 6:00 p.m.

Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Pearson and Attorney Kurt    Absent – Alderman Biermeier, Alderman Muir

   2.  22-0321    Staff Reports

                        a.  City Manager Report

                               i.   Passenger Rail Feasibility Study

Included copy of presentation by the study.

                              ii.   Population Trends

Try to grow East Dubuque. Illinois is the #1 where people from Iowa move to Illinois.

                             iii.   Ward Boundaries

Redrawing the ward maps since the 2020 census. Looking to match up the populations for each ward. Looking to get 500 people in each ward.

                             iv.   Fire truck Referendum Information

Found information on last fire truck referendum, which is included in packets. Fire department will be talking with council soon about plans for truck replacements.

                              v.   Budget Work Session – Monday, April 11, 2022

Will be April 11, 2022.

                        b.  Mayor Report

                        c.  Alderman Report

                               i.   Biermeier

                              ii.   Burgmeier

City crew sweeping of streets from grit and sand from winter? Mark is seeing what can be done.

                             iii.   Degenhardt

                             iv.   Fluhr

Do we still need Asst. City Manager? This has been in the Code and City Manager Herrig would like one.

Would like to ask City Manager Herrig to step down. City Manager Herrig said he works for the council. Will leave when the council tells him they don’t need him.

                              v.   Muir

                             vi.   Pearson

Would like to go into Executive Session.

                        d.  City Attorney, Terry Kurt

                        e.  Police Chief, Luke Kovacic

                               i.   Staffing

Concern that there are 2 officers on staff during the day. Calls have double to triple and the type of the calls.

                              ii.   Police Calls

Complaints about calls not going directly to an officer and being routed to City Hall. Calls are going to City Hall Monday thru Friday during business hours.

Calls just for today are 13 with 3 only being actual police calls. Missing child, child pornography and seeing if an officer and squad would come to Library in June. While one officer was on a call about noise behind house the night before. The second officer had made 2 traffic stops during that time. Most towns around the Jo Daviess County have a full-time secretary.

Alderman Pearson – Are you asking for a secretary? No he is not asking for that.

Alderman Fluhr – Is every call logged? Yes. Would like to see the log. Is there really a need for 2 officers during the day?

Chief Kovacic – The log is open to the public and all you need to do is stop by the police station.

                        f.  Public Works Director, Mark Fluhr

                               i.   Cherry Street Repairs

Talking about a complete replacements of 100 ft of pipe. It’s aged and will not be cheap.

Flood Task force meeting tonight went well and have checked pumps in the flats.

                        g.  Fire Chief, Joe Heim

   3.  22-0322    Speakers from the Floor

None

   4.  22-0323    Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 03/07/2022 and 03/14/2022, Public Safety Report(s), Warrants, Zoning, and Correspondence) also Bill for City Attorney Kurt

Motion by Alderman Pearson to Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 03/07/2022 and 03/14/2022, Public Safety Report(s), Warrants, Zoning, and Correspondence) second by Alderman Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried     Absent – Alderman Biermeier, Alderman Muir

 

NEW BUSINESS:

   5.  22-0324    Discussion and Possible Action on the Acceptance of Council Member Resignations in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig

City Manager Herrig read letters from both Alderman Biermeier and Alderman Muir for resigning. Alderman Muir’s resignation is due to increased work demand and moving out of city limits. Alderman Biermeier was overwhelmed by the harassment he received with the line being drawn when he was visited at his place of employment.

Motion by Mayor Degenhardt to Acceptance of Council Member Resignations second by Alderman Pearson    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried     Absent – Alderman Biermeier and Alderman Muir

 

   6.  22-0325    Discussion and Possible Action on the Mayor’s Appointment of a City Council Member in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig

Mayor Degenhardt has appointed Delbert Belken.

Motion by Alderman Burgmeier for Approval of Mayor’s Appointment of a City Council Member second by Alderman Pearson    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Burgmeier and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried     Nays – Alderman Fluhr

 

   7.  22-0326    Discussion and Possible Action to Amend Ordinance Regulating Littering in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig

Relating to tree removal that was passed. Ken Sivertsen from JoCarroll Energy wanted to let council know how this effects JoCarroll. There are a lot of things that is a burden to the cooperative. They do a cut every 8 years with trimming in between. The expense will be passed back to the citizens.

Alderman Pearson – Who are you contracted with for tree trimming? Zielie. Places of the complaints. Behind the church, round school to walk bridge and at boat ramp. Have these been taken care of? Boat ramp still needs to be taken care of.

City Manager Herrig – It’s an expense for city or JoCarroll.

Motion by Alderman Belken to Leave Ordinance Regulating Littering the Same second by Alderman Pearson    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried

 

   8.  22-0327    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve an Ordinance Regulating the Use of Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig

This will be the Hiawatha lift station.

Motion by Alderman Belken to Approve an Ordinance Regulating the Use of Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 second by Alderman Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried

 

   9.  22-0328    Discussion and Possible Action to Amend Title 2 City Administration Ordinance in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig

Asst. City Manager would be hired by City Manager and change for City Worker heads to live in city limits unless waved.

Motion by Alderman Burgmeier to Table Title 2 City Administration Ordinance second by Alderman Pearson    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried    Nays – Alderman Belken

 

10.  22-0329    Discussion and Possible Action on Temporary Outdoor Seating for Restaurants and Bars in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig

We can allow outdoor dinning as we regulate our streets. Don’t need to allow since occasion is gone. This is really not safe. Unless there are special events which they will fill out event paperwork. Recommend sidewalks no to be blocked.

Alderman Pearson – Thinks this should stay around. We can reinstate if there is a shutdown.

Mike Meyer – The Otherside only one to use last year. Just remember that it is legal if cause is needed.

Motion by Alderman Burgmeier to Not Approve Temporary Outdoor Seating for Restaurants and Bars second by Alderman Pearson    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried

 

11.  22-0330    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve American Legion Request to Sell Poppies on May 27, 2022 2 pm to 6 pm and May 28, 2022 8 am to 12 pm at Fidelity Bank and the Liquor Stores in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig

Motion by Alderman Burgmeier to Approve American Legion Request to Sell Poppies on
May 27, 2022 2 pm to 6 pm and May 28, 2022 8 am to 12 pm at Fidelity Bank and the Liquor Stores second by Alderman Pearson    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried

 

12.  22-0330    Discussion and Possible Action to Approve American Legion Request for Memorial Day Parade to Take Place on May 30, 2022 at 9:30 am Blocking off Wall Street and 3rd Street in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig

2nd St kept open if needed to be used.

Motion by Alderman Pearson to Approve American Legion Request for Memorial Day Parade to Take Place on May 30, 2022 at 9:30 am Blocking off Wall Street and 3rd Street second by Mayor Degenhardt    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried

 

13.  22-0330    Discussion and Possible Action to Amend Nuisance Ordinance in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig

Not to use or operate any device that emits an ultrasonic sound designed for pest, dog, or animal control, or any device that utilizes a bright flashing light for pest, dog, or animal control.

Motion by Alderman Belken to Amend Nuisance Ordinance second by Alderman Fluhr    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried

 

14.  22-0331    Executive Session: 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Personnel Matters / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig

Motion by Alderman Pearson to Go into Executive Session second by Alderman Burgmeier    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried     Absent – Alderman Biermeier and Alderman Muir

Motion by Alderman Pearson to Leave Executive Session second by Mayor Degenhardt    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried     Absent – Alderman Biermeier and Alderman Muir

 

15.  22-0332    Discussion and Possible Action on Matters Discussed in Executive Sessions in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig

Motion by Alderman Burgmeier to Proceed with Annexation Letters second by Alderman Pearson    ROLL CALL: Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried     Abstain - Alderman Belken

 

 

16.  22-0333    Adjourn

End Time: 7:49 p.m.

Motion by Alderman Pearson to Adjourn second by Alderman Belken    ROLL CALL:
Ayes – Mayor Degenhardt, Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr and Alderman Pearson    Motion carried

Pam McCarthy

City Clerk, East Dubuque

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