City of Galesburg City Council met April 1.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
Called to order by Mayor John Pritchard at 6:30 p.m.
Roll Call #1: Present: Mayor John Pritchard, Council Members Angela Bastian, Wayne Dennis, Russell Fleming, Corine Andersen, Peter Schwartzman, Wayne Allen, and Jeremy Karlin, 7. Also present were City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz, City Manager Todd Thompson, and City Attorney Bradley Nolden. Mayor Pritchard declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A moment of silence was observed in lieu of an invocation.
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting from March 18, 2019.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Mayor Pritchard recused himself from discussion on the Consent Agenda at 6:32 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA #2019-07
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and is enacted by one motion.
19-3019
Approve bid from Davies Imperial Coatings in the amount of $24,640 for the purchase of white and yellow traffic paint for 2019.
19-3020
Approve bid from Brown Excavation & Demotion in the amount of $21,056 for the demolition and cleanup of three separate properties: 820 Ella Street, 1391 Monroe Street, and 264 S. Pearl Street.
19-8006
Approve bills in the amount of $638,148.93 and advance checks in the amount of $575,088.41.
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to approve Consent Agenda 2019-07.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.
The Mayor returned to the meeting at 6:33 p.m.
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
19-1002
Ordinance on first reading amending Traffic Appendix YY of Chapter 77 of the Galesburg Municipal Code designating eight spots in the northeast corner of City Parking Lot I to a four-hour parking limit.
19-2005
Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Bastian, to approve Resolution 19-06 authorizing the transfer of funds ($320,000) from the Tax Increment Financing District II Fund to the TIF IV Fund for the Park Plaza and Parking Lot E project. The TIF II Fund should still have a balance of approximately $1 million at the end of the year.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
BIDS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
19-3021
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Bastian, to approve the base bid and two alternate bids from Illinois Civil Contractors Inc. in the total amount of $1,524,342.30 for the reconstruction of Park Plaza and Parking Lot E. Public Works Director Wayne Carl stated that the project will include twelve additional parking spaces, new lighting, benches, restrooms, leveled out park area, and cameras to protect against vandalism. The project is slated to begin mid-April and wrap up in August. It was also noted that the restrooms will not have heaters and therefore will be closed during the winter months.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Doris Medhurst addressed the Council and stated that she is part of Christmas in Action, one of the external agencies that received funding at the last meeting, and thanked them for their support. She noted that at that meeting one of the Council Members commented that the agencies “were only in attendance for the money.” She expressed that the agencies were invited to attend by City Administration and that many watch Council meetings on Channel 7 or through the streaming video online. She added that she is thankful for the volunteers who were in attendance that meeting and that they all strive to make Galesburg a better place. She invited the Council to volunteer at their next event on April 27th.
Denise Bradburn, Discovery Depot Children’s Museum, addressed the Council and thanked them for considering the eight four-hour parking spaces in City Parking Lot I, near the museum. She stated that with the recent booming business development in the area, parking is at a premium. Several Amtrak travelers even park in the museum lot overnight, which is only 19 spaces. In March, they averaged over 7,000 visitors and are on track to have over 35,000 visitors from outside the region. She appreciates the City working hand-in-hand with them in trying to alleviate the parking issue.
David Wilson, retired, addressed the Council encouraging them and their constituents to utilize Lake Storey. He has been picking up trash and kayaking on Lake Storey for the past six years and is encouraged by how well the lake and park look. He also hopes young people take advantage of the park and all the wildlife it has to offer. He feels that Lake Storey is a blessing to our community.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)
19-4039
Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Bastian, to approve a maintenance agreement for the City’s GIS software with the sole-source provider, Esri Inc. for the period of May 6, 2019, through May 5, 2020, in the amount of $13,400.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
19-4040
Council Member Fleming moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve a preliminary environmental site assessment agreement with Bruner, Cooper & Zuck Inc. for the proposed South Seminary reconstruction project in a total amount not to exceed $3,800.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
19-4041
Council Member Fleming moved, seconded by Council Member Bastian, to approve an engineering services agreement with Bruner, Cooper, and Zuck Inc. for preparing bid documents for a water main replacement on South Seminary Street from Berrien Street to Fifth Street in a total amount not to exceed $29,200.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Fleming, that the City Council sit as the Town Board. The motion carried by voice vote.
TOWN BUSINESS
19-9007
Trustee Fleming moved, seconded by Trustee Dennis, to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same.
Fund Title Amount
Town Fund $978.90
General Assistance Fund $3,262.29
IMRF Fund $1,925.34
Social Security/Medicare Fund $2,508.76
Liability Fund $345.29
Audit Fund
Total $9,020.58
Roll Call #9:
Ayes: Trustees Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Trustee Allen moved, seconded by Trustee Fleming, that the Town Board resume sitting as the City Council. The motion carried by voice vote.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member Schwartzman pointed out that many Knox College students were in the audience learning about local government. He noted that after the regular meeting, Council would adjourn into an Executive Session meeting. City Attorney Nolden explained to the students and audience the reasoning behind closed session meetings and the legal circumstances that allow for the closed meeting under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
Council Member Schwartzman also noted that with spring finally here, many children will be outside playing and riding bikes and urged citizens to be mindful while driving.
He also reported that the annual Galesburg Farmers Market would be starting Saturday, May 4th, and run through October 26th, 8 a.m. - noon every Saturday. The market will feature fresh vegetables, fruits, and crafts, and will be located in Parking Lot M between Kellogg and Simmons Streets.
Council Member Andersen welcomed the Knox College students and reminded them to be respectful of neighbors once Flunk Day arrives.
Council Member Fleming also noted to the Knox College students that a regular City Council meeting has a time limit of four hours, including an executive session meeting, and allows for one 15-minute extension. He also encouraged everyone to vote tomorrow.
Council Member Dennis also reminded people to vote and hopes that both Council Member Bastian and Fleming are reelected.
Council Member Bastian congratulated the Discovery Depot Children’s Museum on the number of their March visitors and is glad that the City is working with them on the parking issues. She also hoped citizens take advantage of their right to vote tomorrow and hope she is able to return to serve.
Council Member Allen stated that many terrible things are being shared about the City Manager and he is disappointed in the misinformation that is being discussed, a lot of which is second-hand information. He believes the City Manager has done many great things in the community, especially for businesses, including Thrushwood Farms, Midstate Manufacturing, new housing projects, and others. He also noted that with the help of the Mayor, the partnership with KCAP has improved greatly.
Mayor Pritchard thanked Doris Medhurst for coming forward and stated that he has had the pleasure of working with Christmas in Action and knows how grueling the work can be. He thanked them for all their hard work in our community. He also encouraged people to visit the new expansion at the Discovery Depot Children’s Museum and commended them on the great attendance numbers.
Council Member Karlin moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to adjourn into Executive Session at 7:09 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel and approval of the minutes from the March 18, 2019, executive session meetings (5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1) and (21).
Roll Call #10:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
During the Executive Session, Council Member Karlin moved, seconded by Council Member Allen, to adjourn the Executive Session at 8:08 p.m.
Roll Call #11:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
There being no further business, Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member leming, to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:09 p.m.
Roll Call #12:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
https://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/assets/1/20/040119_Council_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
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