[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6062104,"mediaKeyId","3279101-3652a47eae1b9f502e4fa2a9c93d947d","parentId",3279101,"title","City reports progress in water-meter replacements and billing reconciliation","audioSeconds",498,"startMs",3787000,"endMs",4285000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3279101-3652a47eae1b9f502e4fa2a9c93d947d&start=3787&end=4285","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3279101-3652a47eae1b9f502e4fa2a9c93d947d/thumbnail_3787000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6062104/Galena/Jo-Daviess-County/Illinois/City-reports-progress-in-water-meter-replacements-and-billing-reconciliation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062104-84469161fb13f1e627fa08feed656a68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202310&Signature=DRUHOXipGdI1vL6DHuGA0MVnBUwPnkcArKVXirw0YEOWtYtD~9-zGRcDvpbmWa2JrEgsPrE9CBVjkJZ0olc379fFPcBtoApFIBsjbhSJOaoa~LXExAYAMErOUDisCNBMEeAr~0QmhPoe07kDprgACxyWMexrG-278MPOfCTTauDyD726B2fuNj4fBVjT1zbSdoTA8jernBYOoGE0wbpCVMDVbhUz5RbsnPOrxZ0qD1ZhS341PcbYEPHnuUhyer9ZrBnELwl4~ugFC9Ix09C7pJjo~8g52j~y6C4IigyOTpwv3q7QV1n7mwRQruuMmX7S~~xuWjpU37Gbv56PSxrf0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Galena, IL","date","2025-05-13T12:49:26Z","article","City staff updated the Galena City Council on May 12 about ongoing work to reconcile water production with billed usage and about planned meter upgrades intended to increase accountability.

City administrators and utilities staff said they had analyzed 13 months of production and billing data and that differences in reporting cycles had inflated previously reported discrepancies. With the cycle alignment, the apparent production-versus-billing range narrowed; staff reported a tightened range of about 58% to 71% of production being captured in billing reconciliations, up from a previously reported 51% to 83% range.

Officials reported that replacing several large commercial meters (hotels and other large users) has already increased reported accountability: “Since we replaced several of those, we've seen production versus billing going up to 67%,” a staff speaker said. Staff said four of the planned 20 large-user meter replacements remain to be installed.

City staff also described a propagation study with a radio-read vendor (Census) to assess locations for permanent reading devices on towers or high points around town. If the propagation study shows sufficient coverage, staff said they would present cost and installation plans to the council; those devices would enable more frequent reads and faster leak detection.

Staff said their goal is to reduce unaccounted-for water and improve billing exception reports, targeting a long-term accountability level closer to industry expectations. No budgetary action was taken at the meeting; staff said they will return to council with cost estimates after the propagation study and after the remaining meter replacements are complete.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 12, 2025 Galena, Illinois City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reported improved alignment between water production and billing after replacing large commercial meters and adjusting reporting cycles; officials said more meter replacements and radio-read infrastructure could further reduce unaccounted-for water.","taxTitle","Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois","taxId",74450,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062110,"Council approves limited herbicide application training after debate about scope and safety",187,2795000,2982000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3279101-3652a47eae1b9f502e4fa2a9c93d947d&start=2795&end=2982","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3279101-3652a47eae1b9f502e4fa2a9c93d947d/thumbnail_2795000.jpg","/articles/6062110/Galena/Jo-Daviess-County/Illinois/Council-approves-limited-herbicide-application-training-after-debate-about-scope-and-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062110-21c1a4d2a0bf0b1e2789aa13e4b11dbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202310&Signature=JyXNkWC7YES-7fAE922JgfOpSuW0Pnm1slZTygJSjSpN4Fa~MhnIcOb0~3orSFa6tnV2s~JtJyKVK-KlQF2Z8E~wgk-a7T~MpFNkabZSqoxi5gYXNgxndkHUiThDhvEcLfJabOzH6TVOQWEBLFu4jtYAi10E2QqVnW5z07qz0S9~aMhcdRlu3ueFpKQ54GuKB~Nj1SOUUd0Hu1BcA-j3YixBOnEg7UDBrzcyjVXtnpZCk7Fkfv~H6ULdUhlCGEMdfI1ef1whZ8gXbPXKJBd0QYXBtldQ7ldvqxYDWF~G3fK2zVUOM1PVz~jdxUZp2oif6Z~iM7~jPMmPCKbNfgF~bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Galena City Council voted May 12 to approve herbicide use and applicator training for a city employee, after a debate about where and how the product would be used and whether the policy was too broad.

Jerry Westbrook (mover of the motion) described the product as a safer, oil-based mixture intended to reduce the labor of manually scraping weeds from brick and stone in city areas. “This is safe for everything. It's not gonna hurt any animals,” he said, arguing that certified application would be more efficient than labor-intensive scraping.

Councilmember Cindy Johnson and others urged caution, saying they supported targeted use in nonresidential or problem areas rather than broad application. “Maybe we could treat those [problem areas], but I don't think that we should approve something that is now we're just spraying again,” Johnson said. She suggested limiting treatment to city-owned, nonresidential property and high-need locations such as Perry Street, where gravel and stones had been difficult to maintain.

Roger Gates and others said the current labor burden of weed control was unsustainable and that the product discussed was “people- and pet-friendly when used.” The council agreed to narrow application locations and to have the certified employee licensed before broader deployment.

The motion to approve training and limited herbicide use passed on a roll call with one recorded no vote. Councilmember Stegmaier recorded a no vote; other members voted yes. The council asked staff to return with a mapped list of locations for treatment and an implementation plan that includes signage and notification procedures where appropriate.

","The Galena City Council approved herbicide-use and applicator training for a city employee after discussion about restricting use to nonresidential areas and identifying specific problem locations such as Perry Street. One council member voted no.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062115,"Galena Country Tourism reports strong metrics; council approves street closure for film shoot",1914,1446000,3360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3279101-3652a47eae1b9f502e4fa2a9c93d947d&start=1446&end=3360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3279101-3652a47eae1b9f502e4fa2a9c93d947d/thumbnail_1446000.jpg","/articles/6062115/Galena/Jo-Daviess-County/Illinois/Galena-Country-Tourism-reports-strong-metrics-council-approves-street-closure-for-film-shoot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062115-3608fd8f3edac27af29007004a154384/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202310&Signature=KLRg3JR6PNmYE9VwmbzXRCZ45sX5HJI3azzyP8E4NSnp79ocOdNO4JlnfvmpaRl60-d8bqxyBYDq~uSWoQLXmFmIQ~s6oTTJXnJEQbPAGAiN7tAS9HtdoWCrhgPUmSs3Qp2wOtCKHtSjhaRpmqLXcAc6BhAeXLcUZ8SjgJFwOZJcTkFSwZoJPM~Bb-NETwwfOLZ4l3TgLRASvZyYqrsxOXVr2yHeajXBxORPI4M7fvIBS-PGVd2SQV80wgfnejBUG1PEPWLBJo0EBdE8aVrA3DakaGpI-nI9BdVFcN2a7x0ViCbF6DJ9w2Ju470fzC9dQpaRnZ79x~6Vx8E7h0qGOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Galena Country Tourism told the Galena City Council on May 12 that visitor metrics and advertising reach were strong in the latest reporting period and that lodging-tax revenues hit a record level for the combined city and county. The tourism representative also sought and received council approval for a street-closure permit for filming on Main Street on June 26.

Terry (last name not specified), presenting the quarterly report for Galena Country Tourism, said the bureau saw “a big boost in earned media” and cited digital metrics including “4,600,000 views” and more than 1.5 million impressions on Google Ads for the period presented. The group also discussed a new visitor guide and a series of campaigns intended to promote midweek stays to raise Sunday-through-Thursday occupancy.

The tourism presenter reported combined city-and-county lodging-tax revenues at about $2 million for 2024 and quoted state research estimating roughly $20 million in direct, visitor-related local tax revenues and a broader annual visitor impact that “researchers put” at about $554 million. The presenter said Galena Country had record lodging-tax revenues in 2024 and that occupancy levels remained near pandemic-era high watermarks.

Council members asked about targeting small conferences and midweek travel to raise occupancy on nonweekend days; the tourism representative said the bureau sells to group and tour planners and will continue to prioritize leisure and tour-bus markets while further exploring meeting and conference business.

Separately, the council approved a street-closure permit requested by Galena Country Tourism to allow filming of three short scenes in Galena on June 26. The bureau said the production plans three scenes across Galena and nearby cities (Dubuque, Iowa City and Quincy) and that the Main Street shoot would run from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., with the Desoto House a planned filming location. The representative said the production carries general liability insurance and will coordinate traffic and business access; the council voted in favor of the permit.

During the permit discussion the tourism representative said the film is a prohibition-brewery–themed production and identified two actors by the names used in the meeting; the bureau said it would issue a full press release with production details when more of the permitting and insurance paperwork is final.

No changes to lodging-tax policy or allocation were proposed at the meeting; the tourism representative said the bureau is preparing its 2026 budget and would return with additional details after committee work and staff discussions.

","Galena Country Tourism reported robust first-quarter metrics and said lodging-tax revenues and visitor impact remain strong; the council approved a street-closure permit for a film shoot in late June.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062120,"Residents ask council to review Park Avenue firearms operation licensed as minor home occupation",3762,198000,3960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3279101-3652a47eae1b9f502e4fa2a9c93d947d&start=198&end=3960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3279101-3652a47eae1b9f502e4fa2a9c93d947d/thumbnail_198000.jpg","/articles/6062120/Galena/Jo-Daviess-County/Illinois/Residents-ask-council-to-review-Park-Avenue-firearms-operation-licensed-as-minor-home-occupation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062120-a0252c8411b419455a8ce14a76e28fec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202310&Signature=C3LzYVVTcPspbXhLJiRqIEnHCE3u0iCZv58eLQ9JPiLnGELLUUDOJUgtWUyLBUgZPrRRHf8CPmBy12JaMoEU3bS5A9KwrmcGDHiBZb1dX9JOPOh2KIyvRfAd6POS-Lqd32q7bikcVz9XWQANUEUbZ5tmaZKes037LRjjkqSgKlvXajxh1DAwOYvqov9f6DbPc9fYJiw6scGH6SFN~MAy6pRKVPJsvZDby3bH2958JzP1LvG7rPIeqfkzcNNmCMAlrBMvwPuHh81E-kbDQ8Q2fFEcS5Ald4usj1uXm6St7wGGWp7dJn8NLI2djDwplbz~2YEjiPkdSa9LpgNQhJufHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Park Avenue neighbors told the Galena City Council on May 12 that a firearms business operating from a Park Avenue residence has left them feeling “disregarded, disrespected, and very unsafe.” Several speakers said they were not notified before the city issued the license and called for the council to re-evaluate whether firearm sales belong in a residential zone.

The complaints centered on a business identified in public comments as Lead My Boomstick, which residents said is operating across the street from several family homes. “Our family has lived in the same home on Park Avenue since 1980,” said Kathy Tamish, who gave her address to the council. “Recently, there's been a major change to the neighborhood resulting in our family and many of our neighbors feeling disregarded, disrespected, and very unsafe.”

Neighbors described specific concerns including customers examining firearms on tailgates in the street, traffic from deliveries and buyers, a shared driveway used by multiple households (several speakers said five children use it, one child with special needs), and online listings the speakers said advertised high-capacity magazines and a flamethrower. Eric Pilati, who said he and his wife confronted the owner, told the council, “He's selling routes for AR fifteens. You can't even own an AR 15 in this state.” Several speakers asked why the city had not required more review before licensing.

At the meeting Mayor Jerry Renner said the city has treated the activity as a “minor home occupation,” and that the council and staff would revisit the matter. “The city has deemed it a minor home occupation. And that's what we're working under,” the mayor said during general comments. Council members and staff also noted that the licensing language had been changed during a prior meeting and that there had been discussion, during a November meeting, about whether a grandfathering clause applied. Some residents said they had raised concerns with council members and staff before the meeting and felt they had been ignored.

One person who identified himself as Matthew Blum said he is not affiliated with the business but that his brother — the owner, he said — is highly regulated because of prior government work and other businesses he runs. The council stopped short of taking any formal action on the spot; several members told residents the council would further review licensing language and the consent and notice processes that applied to minor home occupations.

The session included back-and-forth about what the February–November licensing process had covered; several residents asked the council to publish any records of communications and the license application for public review. No motion or vote related to changing the license or revoking the permit took place during the meeting.

Council members asked staff to follow up and said they would clarify whether the business was properly licensed under the city’s minor-home-occupation rules and whether any grandfathering or licensing errors occurred. Residents asked the council to consider additional restrictions on location and on retail-style sales conducted from a residence.

Council, staff and residents agreed that more information and transparent follow-up documents are needed before the council considers formal changes to the license or ordinance language. The council did not set a deadline at the meeting for the follow-up report.

","Several Park Avenue neighbors told the Galena City Council on May 12 that a firearms business operating from a residence is making them feel unsafe and that they were not notified before the city approved the license. Council members acknowledged the city is treating the activity as a minor home occupation and said they will review the situation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City reports progress in water-meter replacements and billing reconciliation

Council approves limited herbicide application training after debate about scope and safety

Galena Country Tourism reports strong metrics; council approves street closure for film shoot

Residents ask council to review Park Avenue firearms operation licensed as minor home occupation