On the agenda: Kewanee Minutes — flock camera (Aug 24)

The August 24th, 2026, Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers.
Councilmembers Cernovich, Baker, and Komnick were present, along with Mayor Moore who ran the
meeting. Councilmember Colomer was absent. City Attorney Zac Lessard, City Clerk Jules Smith, and City
Manager Kasey Mitchell were also present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, followed by a moment of silence for our troops.
The Consent Agenda was presented with the following items:
A. Minutes from the Council Meetings on August 10th, 2026.
B. Payroll for the pay period ending August 8th in the amount of $275,126.31.
C. Staff Reports
D. Bock Report
E. Hog Days Street Closure Request
F. Kewanee Hispanic Heritage Celebration Street Closure Request
G. Wethersfield Homecoming Parade Street Closure
A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Councilman Baker and seconded by Councilman
Komnick. Motion passed 4-0.
Bills for the August 24th Council Meeting were presented in the amount of $412,218.47. A motion to
approve was made by Councilman Komnick and seconded by Councilman Cernovich. Discussion: Council
asked about what drove the work with Laverdiere Construction- Park Row. Director of Public Works, Chris
Berry, said there was no way to serve/get water to the Park Row properties without putting in a new water
main, otherwise it would be running over other property lines. Council asked about partial refund for a
culvert regarding James Maxon- Chris said, according to one of our ordinances, he was owed a 75% refund
for the culvert because it was in his driveway. Council asked about CDI conference- City Manager, Kasey
Mitchell, said it was very eye opening & informative, also including lots of positivity and asset mapping, and
she would get notes to Council ASAP. Council touched on pumps and money used for pull and inspectsasked why and where money was going for this. Chris said well three failed, and the pump was destroyedneeded a rebuild. The $12,000 was just for pull and inspect- still need about $84,000 to rebuild rest of the
well. In general, they are mapping assets and being prepared for replacements/when those should occur.
Council wanted to know about results of Partner Assessment Corporation- Phase One: Study of the Boiler
Property. Kasey said she has a draft, waiting on final report and proposal for Phase Two- she will send final
report by end of week. Motion passed 4-0.

Public Comments: Levi Schwigen asked about the county removing their flock cameras- wanted to know if
Kewanee would remove their flock cameras. Mayor Moore stated he hopes they will not. Councilman
Komnick said he wanted to touch more on this, maybe have a public discussion about benefits and whatnot.
Levi he stated his concern about flock cameras being too public; private property can have that option, but
public property is not the place to use surveillance tools, in his opinion. Mayor Moore and Kasey Mitchell
said we would put this topic on the agenda for next time. Marissa Whiteside, a coordinator for the St. Jude
Henry County to Peoria Run team, came to thank the council and city for assisting and allowing the team to
use city vehicles for the run. $68,000 was raised to help the kids and families of St, Jude. Special shoutouts
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to Kasey Mitchell, Officers Minx and Kijanowski, and EMT Jansen for being escorts for the run team; and Eric
Peed as photographer and Tyrone Baker as the runner wrangler (and getting them there on time). Jody
Pickett requested that the city open W Division St & E Division St, Chestnut to South Burlington, and S Main
St to S East St, be open for golf carts, UTVs, ATVs, etc.: benefits for the city and public. Mayor Moore said
we would have KPD look into that.

New Business:
A. Proclamation: Constitution Week
Mayor Moore read the proclamation and took pictures with DAR representatives.
B. Bill 26-67: Resolution to appoint a City Clerk.
A motion to approve was made by Councilman Baker and seconded by Councilman Komnick.
Discussion: None. Motion passed 4-0.
C. Swearing in of new City Clerk
Mayor Moore said a few words about new City Clerk, Jules Smith, along with some words about
Kasey Mitchell leaving her previous position as City Clerk. Kasey swore Jules in as new City Clerk, and
Jules took photos with the Council and her family.
D. Bill 26-68: Ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 52, Waterworks System, of the City of Kewanee
Code of Ordinances: adopting water rate, connection fee, utility fee, and fine schedules; and providing
effective dates.
A motion to approve was made by Councilman Baker and seconded by Councilman Cernovich.
Discussion: None. Motion passed 4-0.
E. Bill 26-69: Resolution authorizing the City of Kewanee Commission on Human Relations Checking
Account to be maintained as a single-signer account.
A motion to approve was made by Councilman Komnick and seconded by Councilman Cernovich.
Discussion: Council asked about the amount of monetary risk there would be- City Manager, Kasey
Mitchell, said never more than $10,000. Council suggested mentioning a savings account option to
the Commission- said they would it bring it to their next meeting. Chair of the Commission, Jessica
Fornander, came up to state how this single-signer option would streamline the process for them
and for the city, making things easier (and still safe). Only one purchaser- Kasey- would have access
to the debit card, so no risk of additional misusage from others. Motion passed 4-0.
F. Bill 26-70: Resolution to award demolition work at 310 S Elm St to Ratliff Bros. & Co. Inc.
A motion to approve was made by Councilman Komnick and seconded by Councilman Baker.
Discussion: Council said it is straightforward: one bid, one amount. Council thanked Director of
Community Development, Keith Edwards, for the extra analysis. Council decided on the Brick Fill.
Motion passed 4-0.
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Council Communications:
Cernovich: None.
Baker: He welcomed the new City Clerk. He then asked about the sidewalk situation with the project
happening during Hog Days Weekend. The curb is being poured this week, so there will be accessibility during
Hog Days Weekend. The sidewalk, however, will not be new that weekend.
Komnick: He welcomed the new City Clerk. He then mentioned flock cameras and how a few people have
asked him about them. He would like to discuss them regarding cost, positives and negatives, etc. He also
brought up that they are looking for Hog Days volunteers and said to reach out on the Facebook page or to
Jessica. And- to stay off the sidewalk being built.

Mayor Communications: He attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at Kewanee High School for their new tennis
courts and outdoor fitness area. He said it is an impressive build, and if you have a chance to drive out and
take a look. He welcomed the new City Clerk, as well as said a discussion about the flock cameras could be
beneficial, but there does not need to be a fight. People can disagree without fighting on the topic.

Additional Comments:
City Manager, Kasey Mitchell, said if the public had more concerns or opinions on flock cameras to contact her
or Council directly with questions or concerns.

Announcements: Burn days will resume on Wednesday September 2. Burn days are Wednesdays and
Saturdays, weather permitting, as determined by the fire department. To determine if it is a burn day, please
call City Hall and press 6, or go to our website, or the Fire Department Facebook page.
A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Komnick and seconded by Councilman Baker. Motion passed
4-0 and meeting was adjourned at 7:54pm.

Prepared by: ___________________________________
Jules Smith, City Clerk

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