Galena council adopts emergency resolution assigning interim zoning duties after mayor breaks tie

Mayor Jeff Kinnell presided over a special Village of Galena council meeting on Sept. 9 where the council adopted Resolution No. 2024-15, assigning the duties of zoning inspector, property maintenance official and flood plain administrator to Alison Cherubini-Hillyer on an interim basis.

The resolution was read by Mayor Jeff Kinnell and, after a brief discussion, Council President Kathy Krupa moved to suspend the second and third readings; Council Member Gillian Doucette seconded and the motion to suspend passed on a 5–1 roll call vote (Chris Durrence voted no). The council then considered adoption of the resolution as an emergency. Krupa moved to adopt the resolution as an emergency, Doucette seconded, and the roll call produced a 4–3 split. Mayor Jeff Kinnell cast a tie-breaking yes vote to adopt the resolution as an emergency, making the assignment effective immediately.

Why it matters: The resolution transfers several municipal administrative duties—zoning inspection, property maintenance enforcement and floodplain administration—to Alison Cherubini-Hillyer on an interim basis and sets salary and compensation tied to that assignment. The minutes do not specify the salary amount or effective administrative steps beyond the emergency adoption.

How the council voted: The minutes record the suspension vote passed 5–1 (Durrence no). The emergency-adoption vote was recorded as 4–3; the minutes explicitly state that Mayor Jeff Kinnell voted yes to break the tie.

The minutes do not record public comment on the resolution and do not include further detail about transition steps, specific salary figures, or whether Cherubini-Hillyer was present. The council adjourned at 2:47 p.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 23, 2024 at 6 p.m.