Kewanee Council unanimously OKs TIF for Player’s Edge, adopts water protection plan and multiple code updates

The Kewanee City Council on Sept. 9 unanimously approved a package of ordinances and resolutions aimed at economic development, public-works planning and regulatory updates.

The council approved Bill 24-89, a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) redevelopment agreement with Player’s Edge to assist the business’s development. City Manager Gary Bradley told the council Player’s Edge is not a new gaming facility and that the owner previously had a different "pay as you go" TIF. Bradley said, if the new ordinance takes effect, the city will present an ordinance to repeal the prior TIF at a later meeting. Councilmember Colomer moved approval; Councilmember Baker seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

Council members also authorized a surveying and preliminary design agreement with Bruner, Cooper & Zuck (Bill 24-90) for city-owned industrial land near Cole Street and U.S. Route 34. The work will support subdivision of the parcel and establishment of right-of-way boundaries in response to multiple business inquiries. When Colomer asked whether the city solicited bids, Bradley replied that the city does not competitively bid for professional services and that the firm had prior work in the area; the motion passed 5-0 (moved Colomer; second Baker).

The council adopted the City of Kewanee’s Source Water Protection Plan (Bill 24-91), a document the State of Illinois and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) require. Councilmember Baker asked whether any listed sites were contaminated; Bradley said some sites are old and could become contaminated and described the plan as guidance on how to address such situations. The measure passed 5-0 (moved Baker; second Colomer).

Other unanimous actions included declaring certain pieces of equipment excess and ratifying their disposal (Bill 24-92), updating the city's adoption of the electrical code to align with state and federal standards (Bill 24-93), and amending the B-1 Business District zoning rules to remove the special-use-permit requirement for privately sited electric vehicle charging stations while retaining the permit requirement for installations in public right-of-way (Bill 24-94). Motions for those items were moved and seconded as recorded and each passed 5-0.

The meeting also opened with a proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, presented to representatives of the Hispanic Heritage Celebration planning committee. Administrative housekeeping items approved earlier in the meeting included the consent agenda (minutes, payroll of $220,224.04, staff reports and event ratifications) and payment of bills totaling $292,366.17; both motions passed unanimously.

In council communications, members raised ongoing code-compliance concerns about a persistent yard sale on East Prospect and requested updates on the Safe Routes to School Lake Street sidewalks project, trailer-park property management, and the Midland Plaza development tied to a previously approved Arby's TIF. Community Development Director Keith Edwards and City Manager Gary Bradley said they would follow up on enforcement and project status. Mayor Moore and Councilmember Komnick also thanked volunteers for Hog Days and congratulated Kewanee High School's marching band and drumline on recent competition wins.

The meeting adjourned after a unanimous motion. Future procedural steps noted during the meeting include a planned repealer ordinance for the prior Player's Edge TIF if the new TIF proceeds, and staff follow-ups on the sidewalk, trailer-park, and Midland Plaza matters.