City of Galesburg City Council met May 15.
Here is the minutes 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, Corine Andersen, Peter Schwartzman, Wayne Allen, and Jeremy Karlin, 7. Absent: Council Member Russell Fleming, 1. 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.
Reverend James Hailey, Allen Chapel AME, gave the invocation.
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting from April 1, 2019.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Fleming, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA #2019-08
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and is enacted by one motion.
19-2006
Approve Resolution 19-07 to reserve the City's 2019 private activity bonding authority. For 2019, the City's available bond allocation is $3,230,745.
19-3022
Approve bid from Resource Management Association in the amount of $18,250 for promotional assessment services for the Police Department.
19-4042
Approve Budget Adjustment #2 for the budget year December 31, 2018.
19-5002
Receive a schedule of rates for Knox County Taxi Cab Company.
19-6002
Approve the following appointments:
Diana Whitson, Police Pension Fund Board, term expires May 2021 Deb Sugai, Landmark Commission, term expires June 2022
19-8007
Approve bills in the amount of $425,866.08 and advance checks in the amount of $86,422.48.
Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to approve Consent Agenda 2019-08.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Fleming, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
19-1002
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Bastian, to approve Ordinance 19-3582 on final 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.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Fleming, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Public Works Director Wayne Carl reported that staff is also looking at possibly making Mulberry Street a one-way street with diagonal parking; however, further study is warranted and businesses would need to be contacted. The timeframe for this project would be approximately 2-3 months.
Council Member Fleming entered the meeting at 6:41 p.m.
19-1003
Ordinance on first reading amending Traffic Appendix AA of Chapter 77 of the Galesburg Municipal Code eliminating the loading zone on the north side of Tompkins Street just west of Seminary Street.
19-1004
Special Ordinance on first reading authorizing the execution of the first amendment to the Option Agreement for the property at 465 and 473 Mulberry Street.
Council Member Karlin moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to suspend the rules and place agenda item 19-1004 on final reading.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes: Council Members Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 4.
Nays: Council Member Bastian, Dennis, and Fleming, 3.
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion failed.
City Manager Thompson stated that to date, the City has approximately $202,000 invested in the property. The project is estimated at close to $8 million and could yield the City $200,000 annually in taxes and other benefits in the long-term.
BIDS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
19-3023
Council Member Karlin moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve the bid from Leander Construction, Inc. for the Division B construction work on the well house for Water Supply Well #5 at the Oquawka water facility for a total price of $663,449.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried
19-3024
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Bastian, to approve the bid from J.P. Benbow Plumbing & Heating in the amount of $22,916 for the replacement of the pool pump and motor at Lakeside. Sufficient funds are budgeted in the Utility Tax Fund for this work.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried
19-3025
Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Bastian, to approve the bid from Lakes & Rivers Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $192,750 for replacing valves in the Lake Storey drawdown tower. Sufficient funds are budgeted in the Utility Tax Fund for this work.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
City Manager Thompson noted that the Utility Tax, approved in 2015, generates approximately $2.3 million. A portion of the utility tax revenue is used for payment of 2016 GO bond, which was utilized for various capital and infrastructure projects within the city.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Christine King, chair of the City’s Community Relations Commission, invited Council and the public to an event being held in partnership with the Galesburg NAACP, University of Illinois Extension and the Knox College Spiritual Life Center. They are hosting Racial Taboo , a film and discussion about race in America. The program is Thursday, April 18, 2019 at 6:00 pm in the Lombard Jr. High Auditorium, 1220 E. Knox Street. The Program will begin with viewing the film, followed by a facilitated discussion. There is no cost to attend.
Terry Welty addressed the Council stating that he met with Bryan Luedtke, Bunker Links Golf Course, regarding a Lion’s Club golf outing. He added that the event is typically held at Oak Run but in recent years the cost has gone up while services have declined. He praised Luedtke for his enthusiasm, accommodation, and suggestions for the golf outing. The golf pro has also agreed to provide a short golf lesson to those members who haven’t golfed in a long time or are non-golfers. Welty added that he was very impressed with Luedtke and expressed to Council that he is a great asset to the City and community.
Anthony Law, representing the Carl Sandburg College Men of Distinction, Chapter President Mike Martinez and other members distributed their POSITIVE GALESBURG campaign buttons to the City Council and those in attendance. Their campaign, #PositiveGalesburg, is an effort aimed squarely at raising awareness of the positive aspects of life in Galesburg.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
A. The April Traffic Advisory Report was received.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)
19-4043
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Karlin, to approve the demolition process on properties located at 796 East First Street, 1992 Baird Avenue, 382 North Prairie Street, 908 Grove Street, 373 North Chambers Street, 388 Day Street, and 1178 East North Street.
Roll Call #9:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
19-4044
Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Karlin, to approve an engagement letter with Heyl Royster to assist with employment and personnel matters.
Mayor Pritchard and City Attorney Brad Nolden explained that the scope of the review will be to investigate if Administration followed City policy and procedure for investigating and addressing claims of discrimination or sexual harassment, and if there is no set city policy or procedure, did administration use reasonable judgment in handling personnel matters. Other issues will include the current work environment within the City and any recommendations for changes to policies and procedures for handling complaints.
Roll Call #10:
Ayes: Council Members Bastian, Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
19-4045
Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve a construction engineering professional services agreement with Farnsworth Group, Inc. in the amount of $60,750, for Water Supply Well #5 at the Oquawka Water Treatment Plant.
Roll Call #11:
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
19-9008
Trustee Fleming moved, seconded by Trustee Andersen, to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same.
| Fund Title | Amount |
| Town Fund | $5,409.31 |
| General Assistance Fund | $5,084.13 |
| IMRF Fund | |
| Social Security/Medicare Fund | |
| Liability Fund | |
| Audit Fund | |
| Total | $10,493.44 |
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 Andersen stated she is looking forward to better weather soon.
Council Member Fleming thanked the voters who elected him to serve for the last twelve years.
Council Member Dennis thanked Council Members Karlin, Fleming, and Bastian, for their years of service and knows the new Council Members will also do a great job.
Council Member Bastian read a statement regarding her service on the Council the last four years. She thanked her constituents and is saddened that she will not have a chance to continue the Council’s efforts to protect and preserve the integrity and reputation of the council manager form of government. She is concerned about the morale of employees, as well as the community’s faith in transparent and fair leadership.
Council Member Bastian also stated that she has worked tirelessly to seek information and insight into how the City came to a point where employees are frightened of retaliation, bullying, and harassment. She is hopeful that the impending internal investigation will prove to be misunderstandings. But if not, she urged Council not to ignore the problems.
She continued by saying that she hopes the investigation will not be thrown aside and would consider it a huge injustice to the well being of the City’s employees and false directive to give our Administration carte blanche to do whatever they want. She closed by stating that she loves this city and believes that the new Council will do what is right and pursue the agreed upon investigation.
Council Member Karlin stated that he ran for office eight years ago on an exercise of hope. He added that his hope for Galesburg has not diminished and that he sees many passionate people with ideas for improvement. He thanked his constituents, Administration, other Council Members, City employees, and his family.
Council Member Allen thanked all the outgoing officials for their service. He also stated that he has worked with four mayors and four city managers and several of them filled those positions well. He is dismayed by the negative comments from people regarding Administration.
Council Member Schwartzman thanked the three outgoing Council Members and added that he has appreciated working with them and hopes they continue to remain active in the community and expand upon their valuable vision. He also echoes many of the statements made by Council Member Bastian.
Council Member Schwartzman thanked the Men of Distinction program for coming to the Council meeting, as well as the CRC for the scheduled viewing of Racial Taboo . He also invited the community to join the Tree Commission on Friday, April 26th near the softball fields at Lake Storey for an Arbor Day Tree Planting.
He also reported that solar energy is making its way to Galesburg and information will be released soon for local projects. He thanked Ken Springer, KCAP, with assistance on this as well.
Mayor Pritchard stated that there are many great things happening in our community -- the upcoming viewing of Racial Taboo , wonderful comments about Bryan Luedtke and Bunker Links, and the Men of Distinction group from Carl Sandburg College sharing a vision of hope. He added that he would be thanking the outgoing Council Members at the next meeting.
There being no further business, Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Bastian, to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Roll Call #13:
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/1/20/041519_Council_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
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