Galesburg Reporter

City of Galesburg City Council met April 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

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

Roll Call #1: Physically Present: Mayor John T. Pritchard, Lindsay Hillery, Corine Andersen, Wayne Allen, and Larry Cox, 5. Present via Telephone: Council Member Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis, and Peter Schwartzman, 3. Absent: None. Also present was City Manager Todd Thompson and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz. Mayor Pritchard declared a quorum present.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Mayor Pritchard gave the invocation.

Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve the minutes of the City Council meetings from March 16 and 19, 2020.

Roll Call #2:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA #2020-07

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

20-3010

Approve the purchase of thirteen in-car squad cameras and sixteen officer body worn cameras from Supreme Radio in the amount of $104,381.05.

20-3011

Approve the bid from Johnson Trucking & Blacktopping in the amount of $13,574,16 for the sealing of parking lots H and K.

20-3012

Approve the bid from Gunther Construction, a Division of UCM Inc., in the amount of $302,112.66 for the annual seal coating contract for 2020.

20-3012

Approve the bid from Brandt Construction in the amount of $92,714.21 for the Water Treatment Plant roadway rehab project in Oquawka.

20-4026

Approve Budget Adjustment #2 for the budget year ended December 31, 2019.

20-8006

Approve bills in the amount of $1,060,637.74 and advance checks in the amount of $776,962.85.

Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve Consent Agenda 2020-07.

Roll Call #3:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

20-1006

Council Member Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve Ordinance 20-3609 on final reading amending several sections of the Galesburg Municipal Code related to the separating of the Public Works and Community Development Departments and re-establishing the positions of Community Development Director and Public Works Director.

Roll Call #4:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

20-1008

Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to approve Ordinance on final reading amending Appendix D and Appendix E of Chapter 77 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to add stop signs on South Street at the intersections of West Street and Cedar Street.

Council Member Cox stated that in the past he agreed with the proposal for South Street; however, he believes that a better solution would be to leave the current pedestrian signage and add a 25 mph sign with flashing warning lights in order to slow down the traffic speed. The consensus of the Council was in agreement with Council Member Cox.

Roll Call #5:

Ayes: None

Nays: Council Members HIx, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion failed.

20-1010

Ordinance on first reading authorizing executive of an option agreement for the sale of the property at 140 and 144 East Main Street.

20-2011

Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve Resolution 20-09 in support of the Galesburg Public Library Board’s efforts to secure a two-year loan of up to $2,000,000 from F&M Bank, including backing the loan with the full faith and credit of the City of Galesburg.

Roll Call #6:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)

20-4027

Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve an agreement with Habitat for Humanity concerning the use of City funds in the amount of $7,500 for the rehabilitation of 686 West Berrien Street.

Roll Call #7:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

20-4028

Council Member Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve an engineering agreement for the preparation of bid documents and performing construction engineering services for lead water service line replacements for an IEPA loan agreement phase V.

Roll Call #8:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

20-4029

Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the Galesburg Sanitary District for a Rebuild Illinois Grant application.

Roll Call #9:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

20-4030

Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to approve an agreement with the Illinois Commerce Commission for the Henderson Street rail crossing improvements.

Roll Call #10:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

20-4031

Council Member Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve a joint funding agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for the South Seminary Street reconstruction project.

Roll Call #11:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

20-4032

Council Member Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve participation with Knox County on high resolution aerial photography for the City of Galesburg.

Roll Call #12:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

20-4033

Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve an emergency repair of valves outside of the Ranney Well in Oquawka in the amount of $38,597.

Roll Call #13:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

20-4034

Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve a TIF agreement with MEA on Main, LLC for the property located at 140-144 East Main Street. The TIF incentive, in the amount of $8,000, will be used to hire a licensed design professional.

Roll Call #14:

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

TOWN BUSINESS

20-9007

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

Roll Call #15:

Ayes: Trustees 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 Allen thanked the Administration for all they are doing during this pandemic and understands it is a trying time for everyone.

Council Member Schwartzman asked about the precautions being taken with public transit.

City Manager Thompsons stated that they have added additional signage at all stops regarding keeping riders healthy and educating them on COVID-19. The number of riders has been reduced to 10 or less and staff is cleaning on a more regular basis.

Chief Hovind reported to Council that the prison has recently joined in on the daily briefing calls and that they are not allowing visitors at this time.

Council Member Hix thanked the first responders, healthcare workers, grocery store employees, etc. and that we are fortunate to have only one case at this time in our county. He added that he knows two people who have COVID-19 and that everyone should take precautions seriously and follow all recommended guidelines. He also encouraged everyone to keep supporting our restaurants.

Mayor Pritchard stated that to date, Knox County has administered 77 tests, 67 are negative, 9 pending, and one positive result. He also added that if you do not feel well, are coughing or have a fever, please call your healthcare provider first. It is critical to slow the spread of the

COVID-19 virus and that we don’t overwhelm the medical community. He urged everyone to stay calm and disciplined in social distancing and hand washing. He also stressed to be kind and considerate to everyone.

There being no further business, Council Member Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:11 p.m.

Roll Call #16:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

https://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/assets/1/20/04062020_Council_Meeting_Minutes.pdf