Kewanee council approves payroll and bills, grants zoning variance and appointments, tables internal controls resolution

The Kewanee City Council on Feb. 25 approved routine consent items and multiple motions, including payroll and bills, a zoning variance, an appointment to the Police Pension Board and a change to parking restrictions on South Franklin Street.

Mayor Steve Looney called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and the council voted 5-0 to approve the consent agenda, which included minutes from the Feb. 11 meeting, payroll for the pay period ending Feb. 16, 2019 in the amount of $196,168.80, and reports from Finance and Administrative Services and Ambulance Billing. Council Member Steve Faber moved for approval; Council Member Chris Colomer seconded and the roll call was five ayes, no nays.

Separately, bills submitted for approval totaling $461,009.65 passed on a motion by Council Member Chris Colomer, seconded by Council Member Steve Faber; Council Member Michael Yaklich noted the recent purchase of garbage trucks. That motion also passed on a 5-0 roll call.

On zoning matters, the council approved Ordinance #3954 granting a variance to Lisa Rashid at 214 Regina Court (motion by Council Member Steve Faber; second by Council Member Andrew Koehler). Council Member Michael Yaklich confirmed there were no easements affected by the variance. The motion passed by a 5-0 vote.

The council tabled Resolution #5141, which would adopt an Internal Controls policy, on a motion by Council Member Steve Faber, seconded by Council Member Michael Yaklich; the roll call was 5-0. The council approved Resolution #5145 appointing James Dison to the Police Pension Board (motion by Faber; second by Koehler), and adopted Ordinance #3955 removing parking restrictions in the 200 block of South Franklin Street (motion by Yaklich; second by Colomer). During the parking discussion council members noted adjacent landowners use the alley; staff will send a letter to property owners about Food Pantry hours and the ability to park on both sides of the street. Both motions passed 5-0.

Procedural items included acceptance of Zoning Board of Appeals minutes from Feb. 20, 2019 on a motion by Council Member Chris Colomer, seconded by Council Member Steve Faber. Council Member Colomer also asked that council members receive reminders for Zoning Board meetings.

The meeting concluded with routine announcements and adjournment at 7:55 p.m. City Clerk Melinda Edwards reminded residents that daylight saving time begins March 10 and urged replacing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Next steps: the Internal Controls policy (Resolution #5141) was tabled pending further review; other adopted items will proceed under standard administrative processes.