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Residents urge college representation and warn about staffing and rate pressures during public comment
Summary
Public commenters at the Feb. 10 Kewanee council meeting included a Black Hawk College Board candidate urging local representation and residents questioning new hires and whether water and sewer rates will rise to fund needed upgrades.
Several residents used the public comment period at the Feb. 10 meeting to raise local priorities and questions for council members.
John Looney introduced himself as a candidate for the Black Hawk College Board and said he wants Kewanee to have representation in decisions at the college, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and expanding dual-credit options for local high school students.
Karen Rogula expressed concern that the city may need to raise water and sewer rates to complete necessary upgrades while also moving forward with hiring an Assistant to the City Manager; she said she understood two positions were being hired and asked whether the Public Works Director role was a replacement for a departing staff member. Obrey Blumenshine asked what value the Assistant position would bring and whether the council could take tasks off the City Manager. City staff responded that Kewanee operates under a City Manager form of government in which the council provides advice, consent and direction while the City Manager oversees day-to-day operations, and that certain structural changes would be allowed only under a commissioner form of government.
Councilmembers thanked speakers and noted resident concerns; the matters raised (staffing and utility funding) were not the subject of formal council action at the meeting and would require separate policy or budgetary decisions.
