Galena council approves playground and pool contracts, hears water report and bridge update

The Galena City Council approved multiple contracts and received updates on water operations and a bridge repair plan at its March 23 meeting.

Council voted to award a $216,427.17 contract for the Bicentennial Legacy Playground Project (item 26C-0125). Council discussion noted roughly $70,000 had already been raised by private fundraising, and council members said the city intends to pledge $150,000 toward the project; the motion passed by roll call. "We’ve got up to $70,000 now," a council member said during the discussion about fundraising and pacing for the project.

The council also approved a $69,375 contract to resurface and paint the LST Virtues Memorial Pool at Galena Water Park (item 26C-0126). Alderman Jerry Westemeier identified IPS Incorporated of Sandwich, Illinois, as the contractor to perform the work; the motion passed by roll call.

On the ordinance docket, the council approved the first reading and voted to waive a second reading of a supplement to the city’s code of ordinances (item 26C-0127). Alderman Digmann asked that departments or affected parties double-check printed ordinances after publication because previous printings had shown discrepancies; council agreed that responsible parties should verify the printed supplement when it is returned for inclusion in the ordinance book.

Andy Shure of US Water presented the monthly water and sewer operations and maintenance report covering Jan. 20–Feb. 20. He said the wastewater plant treated about 13.146 million gallons and the system produced roughly 14.23 million gallons, with 61 percent of production billed; January’s budget was over by $5,659.32. Shure said US Water plans to run in-depth leak detection in Galena in early April and will assist with a planned Highway 20 water-main shutdown next week. "We treated...13.146 million gallons, and we produced 14.23 million gallons with 61% billed," Shure said.

City Administrator Matt reported contractors found additional damage to the Ida Bridge deck during repair work, extending the project timeline. The contractor plans to concentrate work between two busy weekends — the Boy Scout pilgrimage weekend and Memorial Day weekend — using partial lane closures and traffic-signal control, with a target to finish by mid to late June. Matt said the first draft of the municipal budget will be delivered to council by the end of the week and that the first budget work session is scheduled for April 6 at 5 p.m.; he also introduced Brayson, the city’s new engineer, who is helping develop a sidewalk plan that may include Wade Street and South Dodge Street.

The council approved the warrants (item 26C-0129) by roll call, and the mayor appointed Alderman Jerry Westemeier as mayor pro tem to preside in the mayor’s absence. The meeting adjourned after the roll-call vote.

Votes at a glance: consent agenda CA 26-06 — approved by roll call; Bicentennial Legacy Playground contract (26C-0125) — approved by roll call; LST Virtues Memorial Pool resurfacing contract (26C-0126) — approved by roll call; ordinance supplement first reading and waive second reading (26C-0127) — approved by roll call; warrants (26C-0129) — approved by roll call.

Next steps: the city will circulate the printed ordinance supplement for verification by affected departments, US Water will perform leak-detection activities in early April, and the council will begin budget work sessions starting April 6 at 5:00 p.m.