The Kewanee City Council will meet on Monday, May 11, 2026. The meeting will be streamed live on our WKEI Regional Media News Facebook page. The agenda and notes from the packet are below. You can find the background information on the agenda items in the Kewanee City Council packet.
1. Roll Call
2. Closed Session to discuss Purchase or Lease of Real Estate Section 2(c)(5) and Litigation Section 2(c)(11)
3. Roll Call
4. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
b. Payroll
c. Staff Reports
5. Payment of the bills
6. Public Comments
7. New Business
a) Bill 26-39 Resolution to affirm the Mayor’s recommendation for appointment to various commissions and boards.
b) Bill 26-40 Resolution accepting and placing on file the fiscal year 2025 audit.
c) Bill 26-41 Resolution amending the budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025, and ending April 30, 2026.
d) Proclamation: Kewanee High School Band & Choir
e) Proclamation: Public Works Week
f) Discussion Only: Chapter 95 Amendments
g) Discussion Only: Liquor and Gaming
h) Discussion Only: Downtown Update
8. Council Communications
9. Announcement
10. Adjournment
Also in the Council Packet:
Fire Department – We are sad to announce that Fire Chief Stephen Welgat will be retiring at the end of the month. Chief Welgat has been with the City of Kewanee Fire Department for 27 years. He has brought a wealth of knowledge and a new level of professionalism to the department. We thank him greatly for his service and wish him the best in his retirement. We are excited to announce that Jacob Forney has accepted the position as Chief Welgat’s replacement. He will be sworn in as Fire Chief at the May 26th Council Meeting. Chiefs Welgat and Forney have been working closely together during this transition time to make it as smooth as possible. We look forward to working with Chief Forney. See the attached letter from incoming Chief Forney about other department updates.
Grant Department – Congratulations to Kathleen Weber on earning her Professional Community and Economic Developer certification through the Community Development Council. This is intended to encourage and promote continuous professional improvement. Kathleen has been dedicated to searching and applying for grants to help the City improve its efforts to serve our residents. She also handles much of the grant reporting once grants have been awarded. We look forward to seeing how these skills can help our community.
During the month of April, Kathleen Compiled reporting documentation and submitted information for 24-421002 RDMS downtown project, 19-203095 ADA sidewalk replacement project, 22-203620 Well 4 reimbursement projects, completed IDPH CLEAR WIN report and amendment to accept an additional $630,000 for FY27 and FY28 for a grand total of $1,890,000. Worked with Chris and Courtney to address discrepancies with OSLAD and USDA/ American Forests grants. And is working to close out OSLAD and request reimbursement since the audit is complete. She also applied to the 708 Mental Health Alliance Funding and the CB-VIP round 2 for DAART/ Neurofeedback, is finishing up BNSF grant for drone request, placed an order for Tree delivery for mid-May, received Tree City USA signage, created flier for schools on CLEAR WIN eligibility, and requested IDPH to provide a Spanish application. She attended various meetings and webinars related to topics in Community and Economic Development.
Police Department – DAART (Drug Alcohol Addiction Response Team), funded through the ICJIA CB-VIP grant and the Henry County 708 Mental Health Board grant, continues to provide 24/7 crisis response, treatment transportation, case management, and neurofeedback therapy services to individuals in Kewanee and Henry County experiencing substance use and mental health-related issues. From January through March 2026, the program delivered 126 neurofeedback sessions to over 20 clients and logged more than 206 hours of officer-led intervention work, including over 140 transports, referrals, and follow-ups, at a total cost of approximately $20,921. Participants are demonstrating measurable improvements, with one client reporting, “I have had a significant decrease in depression/anxiety. I have had much better mood stability & control over my emotions. My focus and ability to concentrate has never been better.” Survey data reflects broader trends, including significantly improved mental health and outlook, better sleep, improved emotional regulation, stronger relationships, and overall quality of life described as “life-changing,” with participants rating the sessions as extremely helpful and recommending the service to others. The program continues to focus on reducing repeat calls for service, divert individuals from emergency rooms and the justice system, improve officer efficiency, and address root causes of crime and crisis, while remaining on track operationally and financially with strong potential for continued support through grant funding.
Training – Detectives assigned to narcotics enforcement attended the recent Illinois Drug Enforcement Officers Association Conference. During the conference, detectives participated in multiple training sessions focused on weapons enforcement, narcotics investigations, and the financial aspects of drug-related operations, including asset identification and seizure practices. The conference also provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing detectives to collaborate with drug enforcement officers from across the state, share investigative strategies, discuss emerging drug trends, and strengthen interagency partnerships that enhance future operations. Conference registration costs were covered by the Black Hawk Area Task Force.
Officer Hansen attended the Illinois Women’s Conference, where she participated in sessions focused on leadership development, professional growth, wellness, and communication strategies. She also had the opportunity to engage with other professionals in criminal justice, gaining insight into best practices for navigating challenges unique to women in the field, including leadership advancement, workplace dynamics, and resilience. The training emphasized building confidence, strengthening decision-making skills, and fostering professional support networks that can enhance both individual performance and overall departmental effectiveness. Officers advised that both training experiences were highly valuable, providing relevant, real-world applications and professional insight that will directly benefit department operations.
Community Development – Thank you to our Neighborhood Services Coordinator Chuck Kunz for taking care of a majority of the IHDA Housing Stock Survey. He even visited houses on the map that are outside of city limits to help. We appreciate the assistance on this important step for future grant possibilities.
Audit – The City of Kewanee’s FY25 audit was completed and filed April 24th, 2026. Our financial statements presented fairly; however, we received the same remarks on our internal control processes as we have the last several years. The timing of month-close, timing of completing the audit, and segregation of duties are the main factors. With the new staff in charge, we have had conversations with our auditor and are on the right track to get things cleaned up going forward. We asked that Joel come and give a presentation for the council and public, and he stated that since this audit was so behind, the material is irrelevant for him to be presenting. However, he did write a written presentation that is included in the packet. We have updated our processes and are already getting started on the FY26 audit.
City Manager – Since being named City Manager on April 27th, I have been involved in a wide range of projects, meetings, and operational matters throughout the City. Katie and I worked closely with Bi-State Regional Commission, who provided significant assistance in submitting Kewanee’s application for a second Opportunity Zone tract designation. Adding a second Opportunity Zone tract could increase the City’s ability to attract private investment for housing, commercial redevelopment, and industrial projects by expanding the number of eligible development sites. A larger Opportunity Zone footprint would provide greater flexibility for developers and investors seeking federal capital gains tax incentives, helping position Kewanee more competitively for long-term economic development while complementing existing local redevelopment strategies. Once we receive additional information regarding the status of the application, Council will be updated.
I have also been in discussions with Kurt Gustafson and Ratliff Bros regarding the sidewalk, parking areas, and curb and gutter improvements in the 100 block of North Lexington. This project was originally presented to Council in October 2025; however, due to staff transitions and project confusion, it was never completed. I am currently waiting on final cost figures and anticipate bringing the project back to Council for discussion and possible action in the near future.
On April 20th, I attended the Kewanee School Board meeting to introduce myself as the new City Manager and express my interest in building a collaborative relationship moving forward. My goal is to attend meetings of other local taxing bodies and organizations in the coming months to continue strengthening communication and partnerships throughout the community. Additionally, on May 6th, I met with Henry County Economic Development Director Jim Kelly to discuss future opportunities and economic development initiatives that could benefit Kewanee.
Finally, on May 5th, I was present during the fire incident at Cernovich’s scrap yard. I wanted to assist where possible, but also to observe the coordination between the various departments and agencies involved in the response. It was impressive to witness the level of teamwork and professionalism displayed throughout the incident. Fire personnel from surrounding communities arrived and immediately began helping, while the Police Department handled traffic control, crowd control, and other vital support. Public Works personnel assisted with barricades, hydrants, and utility coordination to help ensure the situation was managed safely and efficiently. Most importantly, there were no reported injuries, and the incident demonstrated the strength of interagency cooperation within our community. As I continue transitioning into this role, my focus remains on communication, collaboration, and maintaining forward progress on projects important to the Council and the community. I appreciate the support and patience that has been shown during this time, and I look forward to continuing to build positive working relationships throughout the City. As I have stated before, it is a true honor to hold this position and I will do my best to remain accountable for the City.