City of Galesburg City Council met Sept. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Called to order by Deputy Mayor Wayne Allen at 5:30 p.m.
Roll Call #1: Present: Council Members Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis, Lindsay Hillery, Corine Andersen, Peter Schwartzman, Wayne Allen, and Larry Cox, 7. Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1. Also present were City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz, City Manager Todd Thompson, and City Attorney Bradley Nolden. Deputy Mayor Allen declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Semenya McCord gave the invocation.
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Hix, to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting from September 6, 2019.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, and Cox, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA #2019-18
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and is enacted by one motion.
19-4109
Approve an agreement with Western Illinois Regional Council in the amount of $30,000 to provide professional and technical services for the grant to reconstruct Monroe Street using funds from the closeout of the City’s Revolving Loan Fund.
19-4110
Approve a contract with the Galesburg Election Commission to share the use of the City’s Stratus LEADS circuit. The Election Commission will pay the City $295 per month for the use of the service.
19-5007
Receive June 30, 2019, Investment Schedule.
19-6006
Approve the following Tourism and Visitors Bureau Commission appointments:
Denise Bradburn
Tuesday Cetin
Phil Dickinson
Julie King
Karrie Heartlein
Troy Rash
19-8017
Approve bills in the amount of $1,201,065.19 and advance checks in the amount of $49,466.76.
Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to approve Consent Agenda 2019-18.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, and Cox, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
19-1019
Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve Ordinance 19-3594 on final reading amending sections of Chapter 152 of the Galesburg Municipal Code regarding the site plan and drive-through facility review processes.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, and Cox, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried
19-1020
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve Special Ordinance 19-581 on final reading authorizing the purchase of the following properties from the Knox County Trustees at $823 per property:
890 Liberty Street
1075 North Farnham Street
179 Lincoln Street
796 East First Street
140/144 East Main Stree
It was noted that these properties are all dilapidated and in unsafe conditions and would be demolished and added to the City’s property auction list. An updated cost to demolish the 140/144 East Main buildings is estimated at $230,000.
Discussion was held on investigating the requirement for business owners to have insurance on their buildings. City Attorney Nolden will research a possible ordinance.
Roll Call #5:
Roll Call #5:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, and Cox, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
BIDS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ranee Collura addressed the Council and is happy they are starting to acquire some of the egregious properties in the community. She added that the home at 179 Lincoln Street has been vacant since 2009 and the City continues to mow the property and board up the windows in the home. She added that as of 2015, the property had 21 liens against it and is costing the City money in mowing, police resources, etc.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)
19-4111
Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve a change order with Hutchison Engineering for the ITEP Grant in the amount of $5,000 for additional survey work for the South Lake Storey Bike Path.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, and Cox, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
19-4112
Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to approve a service contract between the City, Galesburg Transit I Corporation, and Carl Sandburg College to provide services, faculty and staff unlimited rides September 2019 through July 2020.
Roll Call #7:
Roll Call #7:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, and Cox, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, that the City Council sit as the Town Board. The motion carried by voice vote.
TOWN BUSINESS
19-9021
Trustee Schwartzman moved, seconded by Trustee Andersen, to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same.
| Fund Title | Amount |
| Town Fund | $5,250.60 |
| General Assistance Fund | $2,482.25 |
| IMRF Fund | $1,945.51 |
| Social Security/Medicare Fund | $2,550.02 |
| Liability Fund | |
| Audit Fund | |
| Total | $12,228.38 |
Ayes: Trustees Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, and Cox, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Trustee Cox moved, seconded by Trustee Dennis, to resume sitting as the City Council. The motion carried by voice vote.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member Schwartzman inquired about the expansion of the Lake Storey bike path. City Manager Thompson noted that there is a study proposed in the CIP for next year at approximately $50,000 to determine if the project is warranted to proceed. Council Member Schwartzman also inquired about a strategic planning session. The City Manager stated that he would plan to have one in the spring.
Council Member Schwartzman also congratulated the Word Smith Bookshoppe on their recent opening in our community and stated that it is probably the nicest book store within 100 miles.
Council Member Hix expressed his appreciation to Brittany Grimes and other members of the NAACP for a well organized and enjoyable Freedom Gala over the weekend. He also reminded everyone that the railroad crossing on Fremont Street will be closed for approximately two weeks beginning September 20th. He asked residents not to speed down Florence or Brown Avenues to avoid the closing.
Council Member Allen stated that he talked to one of the building owners next to the dilapidated properties on Main Street and they are happy the City is moving forward with the purchase and demolition.
There being no further business, Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to adjourn the regular meeting at 5:55 p.m.
Roll Call #9:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, and Cox, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
https://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/assets/1/20/09162019_Council_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
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