Galesburg Reporter

City of Galesburg City Council met Dec. 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

5:00 p.m. Reception for new Fire Chief Hovind

Galesburg City Council Regular Meeting City Council Chambers 55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois December 2, 2019 5:30 p.m.

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

Roll Call #1: 

Present: Mayor John Pritchard, Council Members Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis, Lindsay Hillery, Corine Andersen, Peter Schwartzman, Wayne Allen, and Larry Cox, 8. 

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.

Ruth Chandler gave the invocation.

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting from November 18, 2019.

Roll Call #2:

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

Nays: None 

Absent: None

Abstain: Council Member Andersen, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA #2019-23

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

19-4143

Approve a one-year extension agreement for the 2019 bid submitted by Hawkins Inc. to provide phosphate inhibitor to the City for a cost of $0.375 per pound.

19-6009

Approve the appointment of Brittany Grimes to the Complete Count Committee.

19-8022

Approve bills in the amount of $1,238,793.66 and advance checks in the amount of $1,436,820.75.

Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Allen, to approve Consent Agenda 2019-23. 

Roll Call #3: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.

PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

19-1025

Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve Ordinance 19-3599 on final reading adjusting various rates and fees collected by the City.

Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Hix, to amend Fund 19, Section 33306, Green Fees, for a regular season pass with cart rental from $1,050 to $1,000, and for a regular season pass without a cart rental from $525 to $500. These recommendations were based on discussions from the Golf Commission. 

Roll Call #4: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.

Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve amended Ordinance 19-3599 on final reading adjusting various rates and fees collected by the City. 

Roll Call #5:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.

19-1026

Council Member Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Allen, to approve Special Ordinance 19-583 on final reading approving the 2019 Property Tax Levy in the amount of $9,438,684, which is an increase of 1.19 percent compared to the 2018 tax levy extension. 

Roll Call #6: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.

19-1027

Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve Special Ordinance 19-584 on final reading approve the 2019 Special Service Area #1 (Downtown area) tax levy in the amount of $154,540. 

Roll Call #7: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.

19-1029

Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve Ordinance 19-3600 on final reading amending Section 32.030(4) of Chapter 32 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to mirror the capital/contract bid threshold to the State capital/contract bid threshold. 

Roll Call #8: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.

BIDS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

19-3062

Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve the bid from Thompson Electric for the purchase of a replacement audio visual system for City Hall in the amount of $205,298. 

Roll Call #9:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.

19-3063

Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to approve the bid from Rogers Pump Sales & Service Inc. for rotating assembly replacement for the Water Division in the amount of $31,637. 

Roll Call #10: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried.

19-3064

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve the bid from Collins & Hermann Inc. in the amount of $21,750 for the installation of a black vinyl coated

December 2, 2019 Page 3 of 9

chain link fence by Roger’s Park. It was noted that the Railroad will not be contributing towards the cost of the fence. 

Roll Call #11: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried.

19-3065

Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to approve the proposal submitted by Music Makers in the amount of $10,794.60 to complete the installation of a new sound system at Lakeside Splash Zone for Parks & Recreation. 

Roll Call #12: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried.

19-3066

Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve the bid from Mechanical Service Inc. in the amount of $905,000 for the replacement of the ventilation system and installation of a cover over the clearwell at the Oquawka Water Treatment Plant. 

Roll Call #13: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ken Springer, President of the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development, addressed the Council and asked for their support in the code variance appeal for the McClure Street property. He added that Midstate has invested a lot of capital into the building remodel and adding a dry sprinkler system seems reasonable and one he hopes the Council considers.

Laura Fultz addressed the Council and congratulated the City on the appointment of Fire Chief Hovind and was glad to see that an inside candidate was hired.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

A. Monthly yard waste pickup will be collected monthly during the following winter months. Weekly yard waste collection will resume on Monday, March 2, 2020.

a. December 9-13, 2019

b. January 6-10, 2020 c. February 3-7, 2020

B. The City Manager thanked all staff and Council for their work on the 2020 budget.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)

19-4144

Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve the December 31, 2020 Budget as follows:

Total Revenues: $57,407,980 

Total Use of Fund Balance and/or Other Financial Resources: $7,745,760 

Total Expenditures: $63,980,515

General Fund Revenue Total: $24,408,065

General Fund Expenditure Total: $25,343,815

General Fund Use of Fund Balance: $935,750

Mayor Pritchard thanked the Council and Administration for being able to hold the line on a tax rate increase. It was also noted that the contingency balance is recommended at $193,400.

Roll Call #14: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried.

19-4145

Council Member Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve a 2020 Classification and Salary Schedule for Fire, Police, AFSCME, Exempt, Non-Represented Hourly, and Temporary Seasonal and Part-Time employees. 

Roll Call #15:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried.

19-4146

Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to approve the release of easements along the east property line of 1849 South Lake Storey Road. 

Roll Call #16: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried.

19-4147

Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve an appeal of the Overall Code Review Commission’s decision to deny a variance of Section 903.2.4 and Section 903.2.9 of the International Fire Code for a building located at 519 McClure Street for Midstate Manufacturing.

City Manager Thompson stated that it is the Administration's recommendation to approve the appeal with the conversion of a wet system to a dry sprinkler system.

Shawn Pitman, Midstate Manufacturing, stated that because of the type of inventory in the building, and the fear of freezing temperatures that would lead to frozen pipes, he would like to install a dry system. He added that they are doing their due diligence on all safety measures for the building as well. Council Members Allen and Cox stated they appreciate Midstate’s investment in the community and would concur with the Administration's recommendation.

Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to approve an amendment to the approval of the appeal with the contingency that a dry sprinkler system is to be installed by July 1, 2020. 

Roll Call #17: 

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

Nays: Council Member Allen, 1. 

Absent: None  

Chairman declared motion carried.

Roll Call #18: Ayes: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried.

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

TOWN BUSINESS

19-9028

Trustee Dennis moved, seconded by Trustee Hillery, to approve Ordinance 19-01 on final reading approving the Township Budget and Appropriation for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020, and ending December 31, 2020, showing the following:

General Town Fund $481,822

Audit Fund $7,125 Liability Fund $10,125

Social Security/Medicare Fund $34,125

Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) $34,125

General Assistance Fund $442,400

Total Appropriations $1,009,722

Roll Call #19:

Ayes: Trustees Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

19-9029

Trustee Andersen moved, seconded by Trustee Hillery, to approve Ordinance 19-02 on final reading approving the 2019 Property Tax Levy for the Town of the City of Galesburg in the amount of $511,000. 

Roll Call #20: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried.

19-9030

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

Fund Title Amount

Town Fund $2,739.36 General Assistance Fund $3,877.78

IMRF Fund Social Security/Medicare Fund Liability Fund Audit Fund Total $6,617.14

Roll Call #21:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried.

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

CLOSING COMMENTS

Council Member Hix thanked the Street Division for getting the new speed signs up on North Seminary Street.

Council Member Cox stated that there was not a landscape ordinance or any landscape regulations in the Municipal Code Book or on file in the City currently, especially for property near or next to residential. He feels it is important to establish rules in the near future and would recommend an ordinance be brought forward. He added that it possibly doesn’t have to be too specific, but at least provide goals for a developer and allow for plans to be submitted by an engineer or Master Gardener.

Council Member Schwartzman stated that he agreed with Council Member Cox. He also encouraged residents to check out both the girls and boys Galesburg High School basketball teams this year.

Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to adjourn into Executive Session at 6:13 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel and approval of the minutes from the September 23 and November 4, 2019, executive session meetings (5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) and (21). 

Roll Call #22: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared motion carried.

Council Member Schwartzman left at 6:15 p.m. prior to the Executive Session meeting.

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 #23: 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Council Member Schwartzman, 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 #24: 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Council Member Schwartzman, 1. 

Chairman declared motion carried.

https://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/assets/1/20/12022019_Council_Meeting_Minutes.pdf