Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kewanee council approves TIF deal, special-use permits and street contract in unanimous votes
Summary
At its May 28 meeting the Kewanee City Council approved a TIF redevelopment agreement, multiple special-use permits (including a beer garden and a cannabis craft-grow facility), an intergovernmental TIF agreement with Wethersfield schools, and awarded a street reconstruction contract; all measures passed 4-0.
Kewanee — The City Council on May 28 approved a slate of ordinances and resolutions to support local redevelopment, business permits and public works projects, voting unanimously on each item.
The council approved Bill 24-45, a tax-increment-financing (TIF) redevelopment agreement with The Players Edge at 1516 Burlington Ave. The owner told the council the business will rehabilitate an existing building to manufacture sport flooring and expects to employ "close to a dozen" people. Councilmember Colomer moved approval; Councilmember Baker seconded. The motion passed 4-0.
Council also granted special-use permits that will allow new and expanded businesses to operate under conditions outside the city's by-right zoning. The council approved Bill 24-46, a special-use permit for James Hunt, doing business as PhatBoys BBQ, to establish a beer garden at 300 W. Third St.; Bill 24-47, allowing Juan Contreras Jr. to convert 1100 Lake St. into a multi-family dwelling; and Bill 24-48, permitting HVN Capital, LLC to operate a cannabis craft growing facility at the southeast corner of Railroad Ave. and Cole St. Each motion carried 4-0 (motions and seconders noted in the record).
The council approved Bill 24-49, an intergovernmental agreement with Wethersfield Community School District that allows the city to use TIF-eligible incremental tax revenue that otherwise would have flowed to the school district to fund public infrastructure improvements in the 100 block of East Garfield. Councilmember Colomer moved approval; Councilmember Baker seconded and the motion passed 4-0.
On public works, the council adopted Bill 24-50, awarding the Lyle Street/Elm Street Reconstruction Project to Advanced Asphalt Company. City staff said the lowest bid came in under the engineer's estimate. Councilmember Colomer moved the resolution; Councilmember Komnick seconded. The motion passed 4-0.
The council also affirmed mayoral appointments to various commissions and boards (Bill 24-51) and declared certain vehicles and equipment excess and directed the city manager to dispose of them (Bill 24-52); both passed 4-0.
Votes at a glance
- Bill 24-45 (TIF redevelopment — The Players Edge, 1516 Burlington Ave.): approved, motion by Colomer, second Baker; outcome 4-0. - Bill 24-46 (Special-use permit — PhatBoys BBQ, 300 W. Third St. — beer garden): approved, motion by Komnick, second Colomer; outcome 4-0. - Bill 24-47 (Special-use permit — 1100 Lake St. to multi-family): approved, motion by Baker, second Colomer; outcome 4-0. - Bill 24-48 (Special-use permit — HVN Capital cannabis craft grow facility, Railroad Ave. & Cole St., PIN 20-27-427-007): approved, motion by Komnick, second Colomer; outcome 4-0. - Bill 24-49 (Intergovernmental Agreement — Wethersfield Community School District/TIF East Garfield): approved, motion by Colomer, second Baker; outcome 4-0. - Bill 24-50 (Resolution awarding Lyle/Elm reconstruction to Advanced Asphalt Company): approved, motion by Colomer, second Komnick; outcome 4-0; lowest bidder under engineer estimate. - Bill 24-51 (Affirm mayoral appointments to commissions/boards): approved, motion by Komnick, second Baker; outcome 4-0. - Bill 24-52 (Declare surplus vehicles/equipment and authorize disposal): approved, motion by Baker, second Komnick; outcome 4-0.
Why it matters
The measures approved on May 28 combine small-business supports, zoning flexibility for new establishments, a TIF-funded infrastructure project that required coordination with the local school district, and a locally awarded reconstruction contract. Together they affect business prospects, downtown and neighborhood infrastructure and routine municipal operations in Kewanee.
What’s next
City staff will execute the TIF redevelopment agreement and the intergovernmental agreement with the Wethersfield Community School District, proceed with contracting for the Lyle/Elm reconstruction with Advanced Asphalt Company, and implement appointments and disposal actions as directed by the council record. No votes were recorded against any measure.
