Galesburg Reporter

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Jan 21, 2021

City of Galesburg City Council met Nov. 16.

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, Council Members Lindsay Hillery, Corine Andersen, Wayne Allen, and Larry Cox, 5.

Absent: Council Members Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis and Peter Schwartzman, 3.

Also Present: City Manager Todd Thompson, City Attorney Bradley Nolden, and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.

Mayor Pritchard declared a quorum present.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Dave Scholl, Galesburg Rescue Mission, gave the invocation.

Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve the minutes of the City Council meetings from November 2, 2020.

Roll Call #2:

Ayes: Council Members Hillery, Andersen, Allen, and Cox, 4.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Members Hix, Dennis, and Schwartzman, 3.

Chairman declared motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA #2020-22

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

20-4092

Approve the use of the 2020-2021 State Bid for bulk rock salt in the amount of $40.63 per ton from Cargill, Inc.

20-4093

Approve the City’s updated Financial Policies.

20-4094

Approve the City’s updated purchasing policies and procedures.

20-4095

Approve a subordination agreement with Trillium Delle LLC and Morton Community Bank.

20-6005

Approve Ashley Moore and Courtney Wallace to the Youth Commission, terms expiring December 2023.

20-8021

Approve bills in the amount of $1,380,556.05 and advance checks in the amount of $11,426.66.

Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve Consent Agenda 2020-22.

Roll Call #3:

Ayes: Council Members Hillery, Andersen, Allen, and Cox, 4.

Nays: None

Absent: Council Members Hix, Dennis, and Schwartzman, 3.

Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.

A recess was called by Mayor Pritchard at 5:34 p.m.

The meeting resumed at 5:41 p.m.

Roll Call #4:

Physically Present: Mayor John T. Pritchard, Council Members Lindsay Hillery, Corine Andersen, Wayne Allen, and Larry Cox, 5.

Present via Google Meet: Council Members Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis and Peter Schwartzman, 3.

Also Present: City Manager Todd Thompson, City Attorney Bradley Nolden, and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.

PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

20-1027

Special Ordinance on first reading approving the 2020 Property Tax Levy in the amount of $9,457,940, which is an increase of .20 percent compared to the 2019 tax levy extension. The estimated property tax rate for the City will be approximately $2.660 or .005 cents more than the 2019 tax levy rate.

20-1028

Special Ordinance on first reading approve the 2020 Special Service Area #1 tax levy in the amount of $148,335.

20-1029

Ordinance on first reading amending Section 50.40 (A) of the Galesburg Municipal Code increasing the solid waste rates effective January 1, 2021.

20-1030

Ordinance on first reading authorizing the sale of 833 East Brooks Street to Alex L. and Clara J. Shinn in the amount of $500.

20-1031

Ordinance on first reading amending Traffic Appendix X of Chapter 77 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to restrict parking on both sides of South Farnham Street between the railroad tracks and Clay Street during school hours.

20-2030

Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve Resolution 20-26 to waive the City license fee in 2020 for video gaming terminals.

Roll Call #5:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS

PUBLIC COMMENT

Brittany Grimes, NAACP president, addressed the Council asking that they work together to bring a resolution to the group for approval. She emphasized that this is still important to them and plan to continue seeking a resolution in order to support the great Galesburg area. She asked the Council to have empathy for others who have been touched by racism even though they have not and that sometimes being uncomfortable about issues leads to growth. She also expressed her appreciation to the members of the NAACP who worked on the proposed resolution.

Robert Cain addressed the Council and appreciates the communication that has been provided by Council. He stated that he hopes everyone has a safe holiday and thanked everyone for coming out to vote in the last election.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

A. The November 2020 Traffic Advisory Committee report was received.

City Manager Thompson did clarify that there will be a Work Session on Monday, November 20th regarding the water rate study.

Council Member Schwartzman inquired about the PFAs testing that the IEPA is doing and if the City could pay for additional testing as was done in previous years. Public Works Director Wayne Carl stated that testing is not expensive but as of right now, PFAs are not a regulated contaminant and there is no requirement to test. He also noted that the City is not at the maximum le el. The EPA is evaluating whether PFAs should be a contaminant that is regularly tested in public water supplies.

Council Member Schwartzman inquired about the Lake Storey Phase 2 study. City Manager Thompson noted that the project is included in the 2021 budget but the item will be coming before Council before any further study is done.

He also inquired about an increase in the sanitary/sewer fees. It was noted that this is a fee regulated by the Galesburg Sanitary District.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)

20-4096

Council Member Hillery moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve the proposal from Revize in the amount of $29,400 for the redesign, development, and migration of the City’s website.

Council Member Cox inquired about what fund the project would be paid. The City Manager stated that it would be taken out of the Economic Development Fund. Orlee Lucero noted that annual hosting would come from the IT budget.

Roll Call #6:

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

TOWN BUSINESS

20-9028

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

Fund Title Amount

Town Fund $8,770.17

General Assistance Fund $3,137.68

IMRF Fund $2,633.59

Social Security/Medicare Fund $3,21540

Liability Fund

Audit Fund

Total $17,756.84

Roll Call #7:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

20-9029

Ordinance on first reading approving the Township Budget and Appropriation for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2021, showing the following:

General Town Fund $503,230

Audit Fund $9,000

Liability Fund $7,800

Social Security/Medicare Fund $34,000

Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) $34,000

General Assistance Fund $467,400

Total Appropriations $1,055,430

20-9030

Ordinance on first reading approving the 2020 Property Tax Levy for the Town of the City of Galesburg in the amount of $531,000.

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

CLOSING COMMENTS

Council Member Cox inquired about the hospitals and if they were at their capacity. Fire Chief & EMA Director Hovid stated that our ICU beds in both hospitals are at their capacity, and the same can be said regionally. Both facilities have enacted their surge protocols. Council Member Cox asked people to remember to wear a mask, distance themselves from others, etc. to help flatten the curve.

Council Member Allen also asked citizens to follow good safety practices during this pandemic and that there is light at the end of the tunnel with a possible vaccine soon.

Council Member Schwartzman expressed his appreciation for the report from the NAACP and hoped that the community gets a chance to read the well thought out report. He encouraged staff to add it to the City’s website. He noted the four areas of data that were compiled and believes Dr. Asplund and the School Board would be interested in the report as well.

He wished everyone happy holidays and safe travels.

Council Member Andersen stated her concern about the spike in COVID cases and reminded everyone to wear a mask in order to allow everyone to feel comfortable, especially the vulnerable. She also appreciated Brittany Grimes presenting the resolution and her repeated requests for it to be brought before the City Council She requested that consideration be given to adding the item to the November 30th work session agenda.

Council Member Hillery also wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving, to be safe, and to wear a mask. She appreciates the businesses who have masks available for those who forget.

Council Member Dennis stated that he had the virus and implored for everyone to wear a mask.

Council Member Hix thanked Deputy Chief Stevenson and Captain Lewis for hosting him at the training site and stated that it was very informative. He also suggested that the Stuff the Bus campaign try to locate at the Hy-Vee stores in town and that he would be working with Administration to make this happen.

Mayor Pritchard stated he missed having all the Veteran’s Day celebrations but thanked all those who served as we celebrated the freedoms we enjoy.

The Mayor also stated that the hospitals are getting full and we all need to take action to stop the spread -- use extreme caution when having private gatherings and be careful over Thanksgiving. The spike in cases is happening all over and everyone needs to do their part, not just rely on the government. He also noted that 40 percent of the positive cases are asymptomatic and that everyone needs to assume they have it so it doesn’t spread. He pleaded with the public to be careful.

Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Allen, to adjourn into Executive Session a 6:19 p.m. for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining and approval of the minutes from the September 21, 2020, executive session meeting (5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (2) and (21). Roll Call #8:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

During the Executive Session, Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to adjourn the Executive Session at 6:31 p.m.

Roll Call #9:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

There being no further business, Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:32 p.m.

Roll Call #10: