At the latest Kewanee City Council meeting, officials tackled public safety upgrades, city infrastructure, and ongoing utility billing troubles. Council members weighed deals on ambulance equipment and accepted federal support for security improvements in public buildings. A highlight included honoring Rosabelle Moore’s 102nd birthday for her service to Kewanee. Water billing delays, caused by postal mishaps and rerouting city bills, generated concern, as many residents incurred late fees despite timely payments. The city maintains that missed bills aren’t grounds for waiving fees, though reconnection fees will be credited for some affected customers.
Council member Chris Colomer addressed the issue with water bills during council communications, indicating he also wasn’t receiving his water bill and paid a late fee like so many Kewanee residents. According to Kasey Mitchell, the postcard bills sent by the city get stuck in the postal service machines. She said the city sends out the postcards on the last day of the month, and the bills are due 20 days later. Due to the troubles with the postcards, the postal center in Peoria apparently sets the postcards aside and sorts them last. Sometimes the postcards are placed in incorrect bins and sent to locations such as Decatur, Springfield, and Monmouth. Kasey said the city was made aware of the postal issue in November. Council member Colomer said he didn’t receive a bill for October, November, or December. The city reported the problem to the United States Postal Service and noticed that some people received January bills before the January 12th council meeting. There will be NO reimbursement for late fees, as the city’s stance is that not receiving a bill is not an excuse for late or missed payments. However, Kasey said the city will be giving credit for the reconnection fee for the 38% of customers shut off for non-payment. The 38% of those shut off have a positive history of paying their water bill. Council member Cernovich said that he thinks it’s the city’s job to fix the issue for the people. Council member Cernovich wants a written policy for city vehicle use regarding the non-home rule use. Chris Berry said public works employees have looked at the problem streets in Kewanee regarding snow removal, such as dead-end streets, and are working on a plan for those streets. The new public works truck was in Peoria during Monday’s meeting and was expected to be delivered last week.
As of the January 12th Kewanee City Council meeting, Kasey stated that 21 people had applied for the city manager position, and 10 of those applicants met the qualifications set by the city council. January 19th is the soft cutoff date for applications, but they will accept any received shortly thereafter. The recruiter will present the applicants during the closed session at the February 9th council meeting. The new city manager could start as early as late April or early May.
b) Bill 26-01 Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a side letter of agreement to the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement with International Association of Fire Fighters Local 513. – Tabled
c) Bill 26-02 Resolution to declare certain equipment excess and no longer required in the operations of the City of Kewanee and directing the City Manager to dispose of the same. – The trade-in offer was for $2,000 each, but sold on the market for $6,500
d) Bill 26-03 Resolution authorizing the Fire Chief to purchase equipment related to a FEMA Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) Grant to install Knox Boxes on all qualifying public buildings in the City of Kewanee.
e) Bill 26-04 Resolution ratifying the expenditure of funds used to purchase a Stryker Power Pro 2 (PP2) Power Cot for use on the City’s ambulances. – trade in the old one for $2,000
f) Bill 26-05 Ordinance directing the sale of excess real estate located at W Fifth St. – Tabled
g) Bill 26-06 Resolution to authorize Ameren Illinois to install streetlights in multiple locations for the purpose of improving public safety. – Tabled
h) Bill 26-07 Resolution authorizing expenditure of funds under an Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Gant for Community Policing and DAART Services.
i) Bill 26-08Resolution authorizing the renewal of an agreement to provide information technology services for the City of Kewanee.
j) Bill 26-09 Resolution ratifying an agreement with Laverdiere Construction, Inc for emergency water service bore and pipe installation at the City of Kewanee Wastewater Treatment Plant.
k) Bill 26-10 Resolution authorizing the inclusion of retaining wall concrete staining and an anti graffiti coating in IDOT Project 64L94 IL81 reconstruction.
l) Proclamation: Rosabelle Moore’s 102nd Birthday