Chris Berry takes the oath of office as Kewanee’s new public works director from City Clerk Kasey Mitchell during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. [Photo by Michael Berry]

The City Council learned Tuesday that they will have to go shopping for a couple of new trucks for the city’s public works department.

Chris Berry, who was sworn in as Kewanee’s new public works director, told the council that there is an immediate need for a new snowplow truck and a new pickup.

Berry said there are several other public-works vehicles that also will have to be replaced before long.

He said he has been getting acquainted with Kewanee’s public-works operations in the three weeks he’s been on the job. Public works include water, sewer, streets, the transfer station, cemeteries and parks.

Also Monday:

— The council accepted the Ratliff Brothers bid of $64,450 for curb, sidewalk and any necessary street repairs in the 100 block of North Lexington Avenue. Ratliffs was the lowest of three bids the city received.

Gustafson Ford, whose owners had requested that the work be done, will share in the costs of the project. The city’s share of the cost will be paid from the Downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) account.

— Following a lengthy discussion, the council accepted the bid of $10,593 for the first year of a data-management program by a company called Smarsh.

The company will archive city records, including social-media postings the city creates or receives. The service will make such records easily accessible by city staff.

— The council voted to terminate the Kentville Road TIF district. The district was created in 2001, and by state law, such districts can only operate for 23 years.

City Manager Gary Bradley said the city will create a new Kentville TIF to replace the one being deactivated.

That action followed a session between the council and Nic Nelson, an attorney with the law firm that represents the city of TIF district matters.

Nelson explained in detail how TIFs work, and answered a number of questions from council members.

— The council voted to accept three new automatic external defibrillators, which will be paid for mostly with a federal grant.

Fire Chief Stephen Welgat said the defibrillators will be installed in the department’s three ambulances.

Welgat said the federal government shutdown has put a hold on federal grant payments, so the city will have to wait for the money until the government reopens.