Kewanee Council approves two special-use permits, payroll and appointments; Colomer objects to sign placement

The Kewanee City Council on June 12 approved two special-use permits and a slate of routine financial and personnel items.

Councilmember Baker moved and Councilmember Komnick seconded approval of Bill 23-11, granting a special-use permit to Robinson Outdoor, LLC to place an off-premise sign at 630 Tenney St. The applicant’s representative said the sign will sit farther back on the property toward an ice machine, be higher than a nearby Scooter’s Coffee sign and include automatic dimming to reduce brightness. The representative also said the sign must comply with state guidelines for off-premise signage. Councilmember Colomer said he opposed the placement because “it will clutter that corner.” The motion passed 4-1 with Colomer voting no.

The Council then considered Bill 23-12, granting a special-use permit to Kenneth Westefer for property at 325 West Fourth St. Westefer said the building likely would not allow indoor dining but he expects to offer a back room as a rentable venue; he also said an outdoor area would let patrons who smoke step outside without leaving their drinks unattended. Mayor Moore confirmed the owner holds a current liquor license. Councilmember Faber moved to approve and Councilmember Baker seconded; the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

Council also approved routine financial and personnel items. Councilmember Komnick moved and Councilmember Baker seconded approval of bills totaling $814,109.87; the motion passed 5-0. Earlier, the consent agenda — including minutes from May 23, payroll for two pay periods (payroll totals: $220,825.42 and $226,582.63) and street closures for community events — passed 5-0 after a motion by Councilmember Faber.

During the meeting the City Clerk swore in firefighter Kyle McCready and police officer Austin Stroud. Police Chief Nick Welgat promoted Andrew Kingdon to sergeant and Justin Reed to lieutenant.

Mayor Moore’s appointments to various commissions and boards were affirmed by resolution (recorded as Bill 23-13). The transcript records Councilmember Faber moving the resolution and the motion passed 5-0; the recorded second in the transcript duplicates the mover and appears to be a clerical error, with no other seconder identified in the record.

Community Development Director Keith Edwards said he will verify sign-height compliance when a building permit is submitted and return any permit paperwork to the Council if additional review is needed. The City will proceed with the approved bills and appointments according to standard administrative procedure.