Galesburg Reporter

City of Galesburg City Council met Nov. 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Called to order by Mayor John Pritchard at 5:30 p.m.

Roll Call #1: Present: Mayor John Pritchard, Council Members Bradley Hix, Lindsay Hillery, Corine Andersen, Peter Schwartzman, Wayne Allen, and Larry Cox, 7. Absent: Council Member Wayne Dennis, 1. Also present were City Manager Todd Thompson, City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz and City Attorney Brad 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 Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting from October 21, 2019.

Roll Call #2:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA #2019-21

All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and is enacted by one motion.

19-1022

Approve Resolution 19-24 authorizing the Mayor to sign the State Fiscal Year 2020 Uniform Grant Agreement for the Downstate Operating Assistance Program for the City’s transit program.

19-3056

Approve the bid from M&M Golf Cars, LLC in the amount of $32,015.83 per year for a five-year lease of golf cars and a utility vehicle for Bunker Links.

19-4131

Approve the exchange of three Kubota 39-horse powered front end mowers for three new Kubota 24-horse powered front end mowers.

19-4132

Approve an extension to the Jet Air Lease through October 31, 2034.

19-8020

Approve bills in the amount of $546,094.82 and advance checks in the amount of $474,300.71. Council Member Cox congratulated Jet Air on celebrating fifty years in business.

Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve Consent Agenda 2019-21.

Roll Call #3:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote

PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

19-1022

Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to approve Ordinance 19-3595 on final reading amending Section 113.043(A) of Chapter 113 of the Galesburg Municipal Code regarding the limitation on the number of Class A liquor licenses.

Roll Call #4:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried.

19-1023

Ordinance on first reading rezoning from Institutional (I) to Light Industrial District (M1) for a south west section of 340 South Kellogg Street.

19-1024

Ordinance on first reading amending Traffic Appendix K of Chapter 76 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to reduce the speed on North Seminary Street between Carl Sandburg Drive and 300 feet north of Circle Drive to 35 mph.

19-2026

Council Member Schwartzman moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve Resolution 19-25 determining the 2019 Property Tax Levy, which is not more than 105 percent and therefore will not require a truth in taxation public hearing. The tax levy request will not exceed $9,793,965.

It was noted that the school district tax levy would have no bearing on the City’s. Also, staff is meeting with the Library Board to discuss funding assistance for a new HVAC system so that the levy request is not increase over 105 percent.

Roll Call #5:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried

BIDS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

19-3057

Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve bid from Laverdiere Construction in the amount of $1,000,500 for the replacement of the ventilation system and installation of a cover over the clearwell at the Oquawka Water Treatment Plant.

The ventilation needs to be replaced due to its deteriorated condition and its inability to provide adequate ventilation of the filter room. Three bids were submitted for the project with Leander Construction submitting the low bid of $819,000. However, within 24 hours of the bid opening, Leander submitted a request to withdraw their bid due to them missing an expensive component of the work in their bid. The next lowest bid was Laverdiere Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,080,500.00. In discussing the bid with Laverdiere they agreed to lower their bid by $80,000.00 to $1,000,500.00 due to receiving lower numbers from their subcontractors after the bids were opened.

Discussion was held on concerns of the bids being pulled and changed and whether or not staff feels the project should be rebid. It was noted that there is a chance that the bids could come back higher but that the rebidding process would not be an additional cost to the City. The consensus of the Council was to rebid the project.

Roll Call #6:

Ayes: None

Nays: Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion failed.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Dennis Clark, Galesburg Railroad Days, gave a report on the past summer’s festival. He stated that the Art-in-the-Park was successful with forty-five vendors and 1,800 visitors. Other important points made by Clark:

● Very well attended Firemen’s Water Fight

● Downtown restaurants reported to be very busy

● Historic tram tours sold out -- will be recommended to add a tram

● Rail yard tour attendance was down this year; suggest adding a tour of Koppers

● The Railroad Museum had a lot of out of state and several out of country visitors

● Hotels were sold out

● More emphasis will be put on the Lincoln show next year

● More kids games are needed in the carnival

● Requested additional police at the carnival

Clark stated that the committee is continuing to look for a replacement for him and that he has appreciated the Council’s support over the years.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

A. FY 2020 budget is available for inspection at City Hall, the Galesburg Public Library, and on the City’s website.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)

19-4133

Council Member Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to approve a Minor Plat of the North Prairie Subdivision No. 2. This is a two lot subdivision of a vacant lot located west of 111 East Ferris Street.

Roll Call #7:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried.

19-4134

Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to waive normal purchasing policies and approve the proposal from Donohue and Associates, Inc. in the amount of $16,900.59 for replacement of four differential pressure transmitters for existing flow meters for the Water Division.

Roll Call #8:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried.

Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, that the City Council sit as the Town Board. The motion carried by voice vote.

TOWN BUSINESS

19-9024

Trustee Schwartzman moved, seconded by Trustee Hillery, to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same.

Roll Call #9:

Ayes: Trustees Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried

19-9025

Trustee Hillery moved, seconded by Trustee Cox, to approve Resolution 19-02 allowing eligible employees who receive an annuity under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund to elect to continue coverage under the Township’s group insurance plan by paying the full cost of coverage.

Roll Call #10:

Ayes: Trustees Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried

19-9026

Trustee Dennis moved, seconded by Trustee Allen, to approve Resolution 19-03 determining the 2019 Property Tax Levy, which is not more than 105 percent and therefore will not require a truth in taxation public hearing. The tax levy request will not exceed $511,000.

Roll Call #11:

Ayes: Trustees Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried

Trustee Allen moved, seconded by Trustee Hillery, to resume sitting as the City Council. The motion carried by voice vote.

CLOSING COMMENTS

Council Member Schwartzman stated that this past weekend was the Knox College homecoming and that there were many positive comments about Galesburg made from returning alumni and parents.

Council Member Hillery commended Public Works staff, Street Division crews, and the Police for their work on the early snowfall last week.

Council Member Hix stated that he was unable to attend any events for the Knox homecoming, but that his wife is a proud alum. He also thanked Tim Fey and the Water Division staff for the tour and for educating him on the inner workings of the plant. He appreciated the time and is grateful we have some of the best water in the midwest.

Mayor Pritchard praised the Galesburg Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Department on preventing a domestic disturbance from getting worse last week.

Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to adjourn into Executive Session at 6:07 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel and approval of the minutes from the September 23, 2019, executive session meeting (5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) and (21). Roll Call #12:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried.

During the Executive Session, Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Allen, to adjourn the Executive Session at 6:49 p.m.

Roll Call #13:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried.

There being no further business, Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:49 p.m.

Roll Call #14:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Dennis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried.

https://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/assets/1/20/11042019_Council_Meeting_Minutes.pdf