Kewanee City Council approves TIF aid, micro-loan and downtown TIF change; adopts mutual-aid and hiring contract

Kewanee City Council voted May 27 to approve a series of economic and service measures, including a tax-increment-financing agreement for a wellness business, a city micro-loan to a local retailer, changes to the downtown TIF boundary and an interagency mutual-aid arrangement for emergency medical services.

The council approved Ordinance Bill 25-47 to authorize a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) redevelopment agreement with VanDeVelde Wellness Center to help finance new equipment. Councilmember Komnick moved the measure and Councilmember Baker seconded it; the motion passed 4-1 with Councilmember Cernovich recorded as the sole Nay vote.

The council also approved Resolution Bill 25-49, a micro-loan to Head Nods & High Fives to help owner Kevin Newton purchase his building at 202 N. Tremont St. Councilmember Baker questioned why the micro-loan was before the full council rather than handled by the City Manager, and Councilmember Cernovich abstained from the vote because of a family connection; the measure passed with four yes votes and one abstention.

To enable a planned property purchase by a council member, the council passed Ordinance Bill 25-52 approving a second amendment to the Downtown TIF redevelopment plan that removes two small property sections from the TIF area; Councilmember Cernovich abstained from that vote because of his involvement with the properties. The council accepted as presented that removing properties from the TIF is the required legal step before a council member may purchase properties inside a former TIF area.

Councilmembers approved Resolution Bill 25-53 authorizing the fire chief to enter a mutual intercept agreement with Sheffield Rescue. The agreement allows Kewanee EMS staff to assist Sheffield Rescue on calls and provides that Sheffield Rescue may be billed for those services; the motion passed 5-0.

The council also approved a service agreement with MGT for recruiting services (Bill 25-51) by unanimous vote. Bills totaling $235,040.60 were approved for payment; Councilmember Baker asked about a charge to Danko Emergency Equipment, and Fire Captain Bennett Riber said the purchase was turnout gear on a scheduled replacement cycle and that the purchase was grant-funded.

City Manager Gary Bradley described several intergovernmental and redevelopment steps the council adopted as efforts to increase transparency and save time and money in city operations, calling some of the agreements “good faith” efforts to coordinate with partner agencies.

The council’s final business included routine consent items and announcements; the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Next steps: multiple adopted measures require administrative follow-up (execution of agreements, loan closing, and implementation of the mutual-aid arrangement); no additional council votes on these items were scheduled at the meeting.