1– Presentations Or Citizen Inquiries
No presentations or inquiries were heard tonight.
2- MPD Monthly Report – Chief Switzer
- MPD hosted a Peer Support meeting that was sponsored by the Chaplain Service 10-41 Inc. The meeting was attended by people from Galesburg, Knox County, and McDonough County who were interested in starting the Chaplain Service that we use here at MPD.
- MPD hosted three career shadow students from MRHS and United HS. The three students were very interested in law enforcement and were able to ride with an officer, observe the 911 Center and got an overview of the investigation section.
- The Drug Task Force officer did make several arrests within the last week after an investigation in which a ¼ of a pound of methamphetamine was seized.
- Currently, MPD is making adjustments to complaint taking and incident responses due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Officers will still patrol the community; however, procedures are in place to mitigate contact during this time.
3- MFD Monthly Report – Chief Rexroat
- The firefighters provided tours of the fire station to a group of approximately 25 Cub Scouts and another group of approximately 20 children.
- Chief Rexroat assisted Director Clark with an occupancy inspection at the new CBD shop located on South Main Street.
- The water tank on Engine 21 was found to be leaking from the top of the tank. A similar issue was found and repaired about a year ago. The tank will be repaired as soon as possible with no cost to the City as the water tank is guaranteed for the life of the truck.
- IFSI has temporarily suspended its fire academy. As a result, our two new hires have returned to Monmouth. They will continue to work with their individual shifts until the session resumes.
4- Approval of MPD Chief Switzer Contract
Chief Switzer’s current employment contract is due for renewal. Chief Switzer has been with the department since 1994 and assumed the Chief’s position 3 years ago.
A full copy of the employment agreement is available on the City’s website. To summarize, the contract is for 3 years with an annual salary of $86,591.
A motion was made for approval and was approved.
5- Approval of Communications Director Ken Helms Contract
Information Technology Director Helms’ employment contract is due for renewal. Director Helms has been with the City since 2010. The job title is being changed from Information Technology to Communications Director to better reflect the additional job responsibilities that were not present upon original hiring. A full copy of the employment agreement is available on the City’s website. To summarize, the contract is for 4 years with an annual salary of $55,036.
A motion was made for approval and was approved.
6- Approval of Façade Grant Applications
- 218/220 South Main Street
The building owner has applied to the façade committee for a grant to improve the awning and windows of the existing storefront. The item comes to City Council with a favorable recommendation by the committee for reimbursement of up to $7500 on eligible improvement expenses.
A motion was made to follow the façade committee’s recommendation and was approved.
- Tin Cup – 226 South Main Street
The Tin Cup has applied to the façade committee for a grant to perform masonry work and awning replacement. The business will also be installing exterior lights and a sign. The item comes to the City Council with a favorable recommendation by the committee for reimbursement of up to $4500 on eligible improvement expenses.
A motion was made to follow the façade committee’s recommendation and was approved.
7- FY 2020-2021 Budget Presentation
Administrator Steinbrecher presented the proposed budget to City Council this evening. No action was taken on this item tonight and it will be available for viewing on the www.cityofmonmouth.com website as well as in City Hall. A presentation has been attached to this summary.
8- Capital Improvement Program Presentation
Jennifer Anders with the Woodard And Curran presented an infrastructure capital improvement plan to City Council. No action was taken on this item tonight and it will be available for viewing on the www.cityofmonmouth.com website as well as in City Hall.
A discussion was held regarding the funding mechanism that may be used. The City is currently ahead in its debt schedule and holds Capital Appreciation Bonds. The Capital Appreciation Bonds were chosen as a funding mechanism for an EPA mandate at the time because this option allowed the City to not increase consumer water and sewer rates. By converting the existing CA bonds to Conventional Revenue Bonds that have a very low interest rate, the City will be able to finance an improvement program that keeps the debt service payments at the same annual payment amount. A refinancing like is being discussed is similar to a home mortgage refinancing. A presentation of the program has been attached to this summary.
The capital improvement program and the funding mechanisms involved will be discussed by Council again as the administration pursues the project further.
9- Engineering Services Agreement for Harlem Avenue Watermain
The infrastructure underneath West Harlem Avenue has lasted past it’s engineered lifespan and requires replacement. A replacement of this length is a substantial investment and as such has delayed the resurfacing of the road. The City will be attempting to pursue a CDB federal grant to replace the water main. To score higher on the grant application, the project needs to be “shovel-ready” which includes construction engineering. The total amount being requested for the services is $136,000 by the City’s primary engineering firm, Woodard and Curran.
A motion was made for approval and was approved.
10- Approval of North Pre-Treatment Plant Construction Bid
The City maintains a pre-treatment facility that is used to treat Smithfield’s waste stream before it enters the main treatment plant. Smithfield and the City maintain an agreement which states that Smithfield will be responsible for costs incurred during the improvement and operation of the pre-treatment facility since they are the sole user of it.
A single bid was received from Leander Construction for $6,161,700.00. The improvements include a new raw wastewater lift station, improvements to the anaerobic lagoon, aeration system improvements, clarifier upgrades, sludge handling upgrades and new electrical and electrical service to multiple areas. A full copy of the bid may be found on the www.cityofmonmouth.com website.
A motion was made for approval and was approved.
11- Ordinances
- 20-006 – Use Variance – 303 East Broadway
A special use variance has been requested by the property owner at 303 East Broadway to operate a home-based accounting business. The owner does not foresee any issues with parking. The request comes to City Council from the Zoning Board where it received a favorable recommendation.
A motion was made for approval. However, as this item did not receive enough votes to carry a super majority on the first reading, it will return at the next City Council meeting.
- 20-007 – Use Variance – 808 North A. Street
A special use variance has been requested by the property owner at 808 North A. Street to operate a garage-based machining and laser engraving business. The business will be performing engraving on commercial signs, drinkware, marketing items, and firearms. The owners do not foresee any issues with noise or parking. The request comes to City Council from the Zoning where it received a favorable recommendation.
A motion was made for approval. However, as this item did not receive enough votes to carry a super majority on the first reading, it will return at the next City Council meeting.
- 20-008 – Downtown Overlay District
This item is part of the on-going downtown revitalization discussions.
An ordinance was presented for discussion by City Council at the last meeting that would establish a downtown overlay district.
This overlay district would prohibit certain business uses from operating within the immediate downtown area. Unless state or local ordinances otherwise restrict them, these business types may operate outside of the downtown area.
Restricted uses would include:
• Dispensaries of adult-use cannabis and CBD
• Tobacco and vape shops
• Tattoo and piercing parlors
• Storage units
• Automotive sales
• Automotive services and body repair enterprises
• Pawnshops
• Title loan or “quick cash” agencies
• Storage yards or staging areas with outdoor operations
• Parking lots for any type of commercial or service vehicles
• Adult entertainment establishments as defined by Section 154.11
A full copy of the ordinance is available for review on the City’s website.
A motion was made to approve the ordinance and was approved.
12- Executive Session
No executive session was held tonight.
13- Other business
No other business was discussed tonight.
