City of Galesburg City Council met Feb. 3.
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 Manager Todd Thompson, City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz and City Attorney Brad Nolden. Deputy Mayor Allen 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 Hillery, to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting from January 21, 2020.
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Chairman declared motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA #2020-03
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion.
20-4006
Approve the updated Zoning Map.
20-4007
Approve Whitney and Associates Inc., Bruner Cooper & Zuck Inc., and Geotechnics for the Construction Materials Testing Program for 2020. The City Gas Tax budget includes up to $20,000 for this work in 2020.
20-4008
Approve a three-year lease agreement with Sun Mountain Motor Sports Inc. for four Finn Cycles to be used at Bunker Links Golf Course in the amount of $2,680.
20-4009
Approve a grant agreement modification with the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Help Eliminate Lead Program Grant.
20-4010
Approve a modified technical services agreement with Western Illinois Regional Council for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Help Eliminate Lead Program Pilot Grant modification.
20-4011
Approve authorizing the City Manager to renew the existing flood insurance policies with Selective Insurance Company, covering property in the Mississippi River flood plain at Oquawka for a one-year period through 2021.
20-5001
Receive revised Transit Audit Reports for the state fiscal year ended June 30, 2019.
20-8002
Approve bills in the amount of $486,709.25 and advance checks in the amount of $405,402.13.
Council Member Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to approve Consent Agenda 2020-03.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
20-1000
Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to approve Special Ordinance 20-585 on final reading allowing the installation and maintenance of public benches on the public right of way with a permit. Currently there are 61 benches located around the City.
Roll Call #4:
Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. None
Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
20-1001
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve Ordinance 20-3604 on final reading amending Traffic Appendix YY of Chapter 77 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to designate seven existing parking spaces in Parking Lot A as two-hour time limit parking.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
20-1002
Special Ordinance on first reading granting the Galesburg Public Library Board of Trustees authority to use eminent domain to acquire property for the construction of a new public library.
City Manager Thompson noted that State law provides that the Galesburg Public Library Board of Trustees cannot utilize eminent domain to acquire real property unless the City Council grants them such authority. This ordinance grants the Library Board authority to use eminent domain to acquire several properties; however, the Library Board will continue to negotiate the acquisition of these properties from their respective owners, but has requested that the City Council approve the ordinance in the event that such negotiations are unsuccessful.
City Attorney Nolden stated that he will not be representing the Library should eminent domain need to be used. The process refers to the power of the government to take private land for public use. This power is limited by the federal Constitution and state constitutions and the government must fairly compensate the owner when it takes private property. Should eminent domain be used, appraisals will have to be sought to establish a fair market value on the properties and the Library would file a court action with the Circuit Court. The Library must then prove that it tried to negotiate the sale. Both sides are allowed to present arguments to a judge or jury, who would also decide on just compensation.
It was also noted that a time frame would likely depend on the size of the parcel and what is currently on the land. There are six parcels that the Library is negotiating for at the current time. Noelle Thompson, Library Director, also reported to the Council that Wayne Carl will sit on the Library’s Construction Committee.
Ms. Thompson stated that the state construction grant would be used for the new Library project, and it would cover 75 percent of the costs. This includes the property acquisitions, at a total project cost of $21 million. She added that they are working with an architect now to help scale back the project and submit new plans and a budget by March 31st.
Sue Kirchgessner, 211 West Simmons Street, addressed the Council and expressed her shock over reading about the possible eminent domain in the newspaper. She stated that while they are supportive of the library and do not want to impede their progress, she is concerned about the compensation that will be offered and that the Council’s approval could set a precedent for the future.
20-2003
Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve a supplemental Motor Fuel Tax Resolution for the North Seminary Street reconstruction project in the amount of $7,262.08.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
20-2004
Council Member Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve Resolution 20-04 authorizing the transfer to funds from the TIF II fund to the TIF IV fund for additional costs for repairing the building located at 120 East Main Street.
City Manager Thompson stated unfortunately with any rehabilitation project, unanticipated costs come in to play but Administration still believes that it will be a beneficial project. The building has been evaluated and there would likely have to be considerable work done to the Art Center (next door property) if the building was torn down as well as costing over $400,000 for the demolition.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.
Nays: Council Member Dennis, 1.
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
BIDS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
20-3002
Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to approve the bid from Webber Rental & Supply of Galesburg to provide portable restrooms for five years for various functions and locations throughout the City.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
20-3003
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Hix, to approve the bid from MES in the amount of $127,340 for the purchase of personal protective equipment for the Galesburg Fire Department.
Roll Call #9:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
20-3004
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to approve the bid from J.C. Dillion Inc. in the amount of $1,820,800 for the Phase IV of replacement of lead water service lines financed through a forgivable loan from the IEPA Public Water Supply Loan program.
Roll Call #10
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ray Pickrel addressed the Council asking them to consider removing the pedestrian signs on SouthStreet. He recommended slower speed signs, monitoring, and warning tickets be used to discourage speeding.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
A. February yard waste pickup will be collected the week of February 3-7, 2020. Weekly yard waste collection will resume on Monday, March 2, 2020.
B. Final notice has been filed for the Quiet Zone on the Ottumwa line and horns should stop around the end of the month.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)
20-4013
Council Member Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve a contract with Richard Jeffrey Kohl for installing and maintaining public bus benches on the public right-of-way.
Roll Call #11:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
20-4014
Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve an annual maintenance agreement with Central Square Technologies Inc. in the amount of $60,141.87 for the continued support of the various modules of the proprietary software utilized by the Police Department.
Roll Call #12:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
20-4016
Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve a contract with Klingner & Associates in the amount of $11,000 for architectural and engineering work to renovate the patio at Bunker Links Golf Course.
Roll Call #13:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
20-4015
Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve a contract with Edgewater Resources in the amount of $52,500 for a feasibility study of expanding Lake Storey.
Council Members Cox and Hix both stated they believe the potential for the expansion would be great for our community and give Galesburg new growth for economic development, recreation resources, and population.
Roll Call #14:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
20-4017
Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve a change order in the amount of $191,847 from Hein Construction for the repair of the building located at 120 East Main Street.
Roll Call #15:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.
Nays: Council Member Dennis, 1.
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, that the City Council sit as the Town Board. The motion carried by voice vote.
TOWN BUSINESS
20-9002
Trustee Schwartzman moved, seconded by Trustee Andersen, to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same.
| Fund Title | Amount |
| Town Fund | $2,403.79 |
| General Assistance Fund | $4,589.67 |
| IMRF Fund | |
| Social Security/Medicare Fund | $1,517.03 |
| Liability Fund | $97.60 |
| Audit Fund | |
| Total | $8,608.09 |
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
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 Cox stated that he would like the City to look into the existing ordinance regarding trash cans in the front and side yards. He believes that a minimum number of cans could be kept on the side of a house as long as there were lids on the cans and no trash on the ground, etc.
Council Member Schwartzman encouraged the public to attend a ribbon cutting and open house for The HUB Community Connector (part of KCCDD), 143 East Main Street, next Tuesday, February 11th. This is the former downtown space of the American Red Cross. The HUB will offer monthly family respite services, community space for meetings, and other services.
Council Member Hix recognized Boy Scout Logan Selser who was attending the Council meeting as part of his Citizenship Merit Badge. He also noted that he heard an interview with the individuals from the Lenny’s Sub and that they gave Wayne Carl and his department high praises for assisting with the project.
Council Member Allen thanked the City’s Street Division for keeping the roads maintained during the winter months.
There being no further business, Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:21 p.m.
Roll Call #17:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: Mayor John Pritchard, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
https://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/assets/1/20/02032020_Council_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
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