November 21, 2022 Minutes
EAST DUBUQUE CITY COUNCIL
261 Sinsinawa Avenue
East Dubuque, IL 61025
MONDAY
November 21, 2022
6:00 p.m.
Please Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance
1. 22-1101 Call to Order – Mayor
Start Time: 6:00 p.m.
Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffman, Alderman Walsh and Attorney Kurt
2. 22-1102 Staff Reports
i. Clayton Degenhardt Annexation Update
Will not have a public hearing tonight because of an objection.
ii. Update on Indian Hills Sewer Extension
Thanked for input from meeting. Origin is doing survey for city and will share when done putting it together.
iii. Correspondence From Mediacom on Rate Increase
iv. Review of Cherry Street Storm Sewer Project
This project needed to be done. This project was bided out and only received the one bid from Russ Stewart Excavating. His bid was for $71,997.00 with final amount coming under that amount for $70,993.40. Russ explained his expenses were less and he wanted to pass along the savings. Thank you, Russ, for this generous gesture. Total came in at approximately $100,000 (with us purchasing the pipe directly)
v. City Manager Presentation
City Manager Herrig read a statement stating he will be resigning as of June 30, 2023. Anyone that will be running should not do it to get rid of him but because things need to be done in the city. Have lost employees because of toxic environment. Why is he waiting? He is making sure that next year’s budget and projects are going before he leaves.
b. Mayor Report
c. Alderman Report
i. Belken
Hope to bury the hatchet and send City Manager Herrig out on a friendly note.
ii. Burgmeier
iii. Fluhr
iv. Hoffmann
v. Walsh
d. City Attorney, Terry Kurt
e. Police Chief, Luke Kovacic
i. Police Calls Year to Date
ii. Automobile Searches Based on Scent of Cannabis
f. Public Works Director, Mark Fluhr
i. Water Tower Update
Building has started and Mark has spoken with the foreman. They asked if they could work hard and heavy also if they could work on the weekends. Yes, but can not start work before 7 am. Asked if we could assist them with backhoe.
ii. Sanitary Sewer Project Update
This service was put in the late 50’s and started with one house getting sewage in basement. Found the weak spot between rental and main house. With each time sent camera down to find problem just seem to find more weak points that eventually moved on to the neighbors. Right now, doing what can and then will finish it up next year. Was an emergency that had to be done. Will have to fill with cold patch.
Alderman Hoffmann – Will they coat the inside this winter? No not till spring. Looking to have inspector up in the next couple of weeks.
Higher pressure in the flats area. Will be checking into this as coming off of Hill Street. Real conscious of pressure changes so don’t have water main breaks.
g. Fire Chief, Joe Heim
i. Seven members attended Illinois Chiefs Conference in Peoria October 18th
ii. Four members attended the Illinois Firefighters Association Conference in Champaign October 28-30
iii. Four members attended the Tri-State Emergency Responder Conference in Dubuque on October 18-19
3. 22-1103 Speakers from the Floor
Don Slaats – 200 Sinsinawa – What is status on Police and Fire Stations? Working on paperwork and they will only work on one at a time. Closing on Circle property.
Dawn Stelpflug – Montgomery Ave – Wondering why the Fire Station is 1st being built when the Police Station is needed. With the USDA it is how the applications came in and Fire Station was the first. Asking to see if anyone would rent instead. Have looked but nothing has panned out. If anyone has a space to rent if they would call City Hall. Can they just work out of City Hall not able to for long because of confidentiality reasons.
Alderman Burgmeier – Asked what sell back would be?
Budget and Treasurer report are placed in paper every year and can get a copy at City Hall if they want.
Mike Meyer providing Free Thanksgiving Meals on Thursday. He served 544 meals last year. Lulu serving at Seldom Scene also on Thursday.
4. 22-1104 Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 10/17/22, Public Safety Report(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence)
Motion by Alderman Walsh to Consent Agenda (City Council Minutes 10/17/22, Public Safety Report(s), Warrants, Zoning Minutes and Correspondence) second by Alderman Burgmeier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
NEW BUSINESS:
5. 22-1105 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Ordinance No. 22-1105 Amending Title 3 Chapter 11 Itinerant Merchants in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Received calls from other businesses and checking into this found out most of this section has not been updated since 1956. Believe it will prevent unfair competition but still allow for charitable and community events.
Robin Pearson – Paige is a 501 3C nonprofit and was having an open house. Food truck was on private property but the money they received was for them not nonprofit. Ask to please try to use local food vendors.
Toots and Mike Meyer – Made comment that his money did not stay here in town, but local vendors try to support the city any way they can.
Motion by Alderman Burgmeier to Approve Ordinance No. 22-1105 Amending Title 3
Chapter 11 Itinerant Merchants second by Alderman Fluhr ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
6. 22-1106 Discussion and Possible Action on Renting or Purchasing a Satellite Office for the East Dubuque Police Department in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Need to do something because they can’t stay in station as it is now. Have water running into station. Have talked with people to rent from but have no luck. They are wanting long term renters or bad for owners. Police having their own place would be confidential for anyone that needs to talk to police.
Alderman Hoffmann – Renting would be $1,000 to $2,000 a month? If found something would like to talk to them.
Alderman Burgmeier – it is not healthy for officers.
Chief Kovacic – Would gladly give tour to anyone who would like one.
Alderman Walsh – A1 Mobile Storage to see what their prices would be.
Motion by Alderman Belken to Check More on Renting or Purchasing a Satellite Office second by Alderman Walsh ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
7. 22-1107 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Contract for Jo Daviess County Animal Control Services in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Wondering how many they pick up? They just need to call, and they are here right away.
Motion by Alderman Belken to Approve Contract for Jo Daviess County Animal Control Services second by Alderman Hoffmann ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
8. 22-1108 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Membership in the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association and Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Cooperative Contract in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Insurance renewal which they specialize in municipalities.
Motion by Alderman Walsh to Approve Membership in the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association and Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Cooperative Contract second by Alderman Burgmeier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
9. 22-1109 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Loan Request #8 for IEPA PWSLP 17-4205 in the Amount of $291,645.88 Including Origin Design Invoices #78103 & 77957, Louie’s Trenching Pay Application #7 and CFPS, Inc, Invoice #04 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Motion by Alderman Belken to Approve Loan Request #8 for IEPA PWSLP 17-4205 in the Amount of $291,645.88 Including Origin Design Invoices #78103 & 77957, Louie’s Trenching Pay Application #7 and CFPS, Inc, Invoice #04 second by Alderman Hoffmann ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
10. 22-1110 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Contract B Louie’s Trenching Change Order #4 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Motion by Alderman Walsh to Approve Contract B Louie’s Trenching Change Order #4 second by Alderman Fluhr ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
11. 22-1111 Discussion and Possible Action to Accept the Resignation of Jason Bevan as Treasurer in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
He has resigned due to the political climate in East Dubuque and the current scrutiny on City Hall. A true embarrassment for our community that a good young man found it impossible to work because of continued character assassination.
Motion by Alderman Belken to Accept the Resignation of Jason Bevan as Treasurer second by Alderman Walsh ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
12. 22-1112 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Loan Request #6 for IEPA WPCLP 17-5810 in the Amount of $202.45 Including WHKS Invoice #446475 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Motion by Alderman Belken to Approve Loan Request #6 for IEPA WPCLP 17-5810 in the Amount of $202.45 Including WHKS Invoice #446475 second by Alderman Burgmeier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
13. 22-1113 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Proposition to Increase the Limiting Rate of the City of East Dubuque for the Levy Year 2024 in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County,
Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Once a year city is to send in increase.
Motion by Alderman Walsh to Approve Proposition to Increase the Limiting Rate of the City of East Dubuque for the Levy Year 2024 second by Alderman Belken ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
14. 22-1114 Discussion and Possible Action on Building Permit Review in the City of East Dubuque,
Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Don Slaats on why permits are not the same across the board. Went through list of permit fee’s and found a total of thirteen permits with no charge. Found no indication of impropriety as alleged.
No action needed.
15. 22-1115 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the East Dubuque United Memorial Walk on Saturday, November 26, 2022, in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois /
Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Motion by Alderman Belken to Approve the East Dubuque United Memorial Walk on Saturday, November 26, 2022 second by Alderman Burgmeier ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
16. 22-1116 Discussion and Possible Action to Appoint Susan Leute as Treasurer in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Sue thanked everyone for the opportunity.
Motion by Alderman Burgmeier to Appoint Susan Leute as Treasurer second by Alderman Walsh ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
17. 22-1117 Discussion and Possible Action on FOIA Requests in the City of East Dubuque, Jo Daviess County, Illinois / Mayor Degenhardt, City Manager Herrig
Have been inundated by FOIA requests recently. In on request it totaled 3050 pages and took
53.5 hours of personnel time with Attorney Kurt having 5 hours. This has occurred while being short handed and trying to train people. Being a firm believer in open government and have no problem with the requests but also believe the citizens should know how we are spending our time. Have not charged for FOIA’s as of yet but with recent activity think it is time to start charging for anything we are legally allowed to do.
Motion by Alderman Walsh to Approve on FOIA Requests second by Alderman Belken ROLL CALL: Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
18. 22-1118 Adjourn
End Time: 6:56 p.m.
Motion by Alderman Walsh to Adjourn second by Alderman Burgmeier ROLL CALL:
Ayes – Alderman Belken, Alderman Burgmeier, Alderman Fluhr, Alderman Hoffmann, Alderman Walsh and Mayor Degenhardt Motion carried
Pam McCarthy
City Clerk, East Dubuque
