Kewanee council approves demolition, Route 81 utility addendum; tables FAA camera lease and CDBG funding decision

Kewanee City Council on June 8 approved demolition of a condemned house at 102 S Elm St and accepted an Illinois Department of Transportation addendum to cover the city’s utility relocations tied to the Route 81 reconstruction, while tabling a proposed Federal Aviation Administration camera lease and a local funding commitment for a Community Development Block Grant housing-rehabilitation program.

Councilmember Colomer presided over the meeting. Councilmembers Cernovich, Baker and Komnick voted in favor of the approved measures; Mayor Moore was absent.

The council approved its consent agenda, including minutes from May 11 and May 28 and payroll for the period ending May 30 in the amount of $275,813.34, on a motion by Councilmember Baker, seconded by Councilmember Cernovich. Later the council approved bills totaling $718,902.68 after questioning why the city paid property taxes that staff said should have been exempt; staff said it will correct the exemption process. Council also heard that the Police Department’s Mobile Team Training Unit IV is an annual fee that saves money compared with paying for trainings individually.

On Bill 26-46 the council moved to award demolition of 102 S Elm St to Nanninga Concrete & Excavating LLC. Council was told the structure is beyond repair; council members asked staff to provide more-detailed future reports comparing infill options versus clean-fill disposal. The motion to approve the demolition passed 4-0.

The council also approved Bill 26-47—Addendum No. 1 to Agreement JN226045 (Job Number C-92-088-23, Contract 64L94) with the Illinois Department of Transportation—so the city can relocate water and sewer mains and laterals required by the Route 81 reconstruction. Staff said the city is pursuing grants, loans and bonds to fund those relocations and will provide more information to residents about what will be done and how it is intended to benefit the community. The resolution passed 4-0.

Council discussed a request from the Federal Aviation Administration to install aviation weather cameras on a city water tower. City Manager and Clerk Kasey Mitchell asked the council to table the FAA lease while staff obtains details on compensation, termination rights, liability and whether the installation could interfere with communications equipment already on the tower. The council voted 4-0 to table the matter.

Council also considered Bill 26-49, a resolution signaling a possible local funding commitment to back a CDBG housing-rehabilitation grant. Councilmembers expressed interest in home-repair assistance but raised concerns about staff capacity and competing priorities in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Councilmembers Baker and Komnick rescinded their original motions, and the council voted 4-0 to table the item while staff evaluates options and the budget impact.

During council communications Councilmember Baker asked whether the Police Department shares crime-scene photos after a local news station used a stock photo in a Kewanee case; Baker said he wanted to make sure the city was not the source of such images. Councilmember Cernovich urged motorists to watch for people on motorized scooters and asked that the Police Department review the Golf Cart/UTV ordinance. Councilmember Colomer reminded residents about the sidewalk-reimbursement program that covers a substantial portion of qualifying supplies when procedures are followed. City Hall and the Transfer Station will be closed Friday, June 19. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Bill 26-46 (demolition of 102 S Elm St) — approved 4-0; Bill 26-47 (IDOT addendum for Route 81 utilities) — approved 4-0; Bill 26-48 (FAA weather-camera lease) — tabled 4-0 to allow staff review; Bill 26-49 (CDBG local funding commitment) — tabled 4-0 after motions were rescinded.