City of Galesburg City Council Met Jan. 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Called to order by Deputy Mayor Wayne Allen at 5:30 p.m.
Roll Call #1: Physically 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: City Manager Todd Thompson, City Attorney Bradley Nolden, and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.
Deputy Mayor Allen declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Reverend Leigh Nygard gave the invocation.
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Hix, to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting from December 21, 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 #2021-01
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion.
21-3000
Approve bid from Brenntag Mid-South, Inc. in the amount of $507 per ton for liquid chlorine for 2021 purchases.
21-4000
Approve an annual maintenance agreement with Central Square Technologies, Inc. in the amount of $63,148.96 for the Police Department’s proprietary software.
21-4001
Authorize the City Manager to enter into a one-year contract agreement with Molyneaux to provide risk management consulting and insurance brokerage services for the City for an annual fee for $32,000 through December 31, 2021.
21-5000
Receive rate schedule changes for towing and storage services for Winkler’s Towing & Repair, Norm’s Towing, and Bolin’s Towing & Repair.
21-8000
Approve bills in the amount of $626,986.77 and advance checks in the amount of $495,665.62.
Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve Consent Agenda 2021-01.
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
BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT
David Amor addressed the Council and urged them to table the agenda item for the Phase II study for Lake Storey. He feels that there are still crucial questions that need to be answered before $125,000 is spent on another study. Specifically, critical research needs to be done on whether or not there is a housing demand.
Bruce Weik addressed the Council and understood that the item would likely be tabled and that he would make comments if and when it was back on the agenda for approval.
Kristine Crow addressed the Council and stated that she believes it is unusual that this study had been added to the agenda for a vote to proceed in less than a month from its release. She further stated that even though a preliminary study had been provided to the public it would be good to partner with the community to solicit concerns. She believes the cost for the study is significant and that the citizens should be afforded the opportunity to respond. She encouraged the Council to table the item.
Mitchell Gibson addressed the Council and believes that the Lake Storey expansion is exactly what the community needs and that the City needs to spend money to make money. He believes that Lake Storey could benefit from the upgrade so that more people could use it for parks, parties, jet skis, and motorized boats.
City Clerk Bennewitz read the following written statement submitted by John Pazereskis:
I’m rather frustrated by the proposed expansion of Lake Storey. My home is one of those that would be rendered unlivable. I live on West Lake Storey Rd., and while my house would not, as I understand it be flooded if the expansion goes through, it would be rendered unlivable because the lower parts of the West Lake Storey Road would be flooded and my driveway would be partially under water.
Now, I’m an old man, 81, and I’ve lived here in this lovely house since 1985. Without becoming overly dramatic, I do believe that having to move at my age would be the death of me.
A further frustration is that I do not reside within the city limits of Galesburg (the Galesburg border runs down the middle of the West Lake Storey Rd) and so I have no council member to whom I can go to for help in this matter. Yet Galesburg is at least considering making me vacate my home.
I should like to ask each of the Council Members to think about how they would feel if the City decided to make their homes unlivable.
I do hope you will consider the human element in your decision whether to go forward with the planning of this project, rather than simply think, ah, they're just one old couple wanting to stand in the way of really big money.
Please do the right thing and vote against the further exploration of this project. City Clerk Bennewitz read the following statement sent in from James Thompson:
We have just learned that the City Council has on its agenda for tonight’s meeting the Lake Storey Expansion Feasibility Study Phase II. The purpose of this letter is to provide comments regarding the Lake Storey expansion project (“Project”) in time for the Council to consider the comments before voting on the Phase II study. This Firm represents members of the Thompson, Malley and Flacco families--landowners together owning approximately 75% of the land that would need to be acquired as part of the Project. The land owned by these family members is used for farming, a large horse farm where race horses are bred, raised, and trained, and homes for members of the families. The land has been in these families for many generations. None of the landowners want to lose their farms, businesses and homes that they have invested in and made their livelihoods from for so many years. They wish to continue to live and work on and enjoy their land, and to preserve it for succeeding generations.
We have reviewed the Lake Storey Expansion initial Feasibility study prepared for the City by Edgewater Resources. It is not the purpose of this letter to debate the feasibility of the Project. Rather, on behalf of the Thompsons, Malleys and Flaccos, we believe the Project is not warranted and want to assert that they firmly oppose the City’s expenditure of additional money to study the Project further as well as any forced taking of the land required for the Project. Based on our initial review of applicable law, including the Illinois Municipal Code provisions governing annexation and the Illinois Constitution and Eminent Domain Act governing condemnation, we believe the City’s acquisition of the land within the expansion area for the Project would be very difficult without landowner consent. Our understanding is that, in addition to the families we represent, other landowners and residents in the expansion area also oppose the Project and any attempted annexation and land acquisition. Specifically, we do not believe the City may legally annex by ordinance the land needed for the Project. We also believe that an annexation by petition, requiring a petition proposing annexation and approval by a majority of landowners and electors residing in the expansion area, would likely be unsuccessful. Beyond annexation, we believe the City would face significant challenges in an attempted condemnation action based on the proposed use and applicable law.
In conclusion, we urge the City Council to not approve the Phase II study and the significant expense it would entail.
Sincerely, Shay Law, Ltd.
Lastly, the City Clerk read the following statement submitted by Blair Thompson:
Spending thousands upon thousands of taxpayer's money further looking into the Lake Storey expansion is a terrible and reckless idea. During this pandemic, I have to think there are better ways to spend money. Especially when all of you are certainly aware that you haven't spoken to the landowners, and that precious farmland and farm family futures would be destroyed if this was to come to pass, along with many family homes, and peoples dreams. And for what? Noise pollution, actual pollution, loss of natural plants, habitat for important insects (including honeybees, bumblebees, and monarchs) woodland animals (including deer, fox, owls, red tail hawks, bald eagles, snapping turtles, etc). This is poorly thought through. The city never should have wasted money on looking into ruining farms, homes, and habitat. Please vote no to wasting any more. Please do the right thing for all involved.
Council Member Cox stated that he understands that there are many concerns and that he understands the need to allow more time for public review. The firm who was selected to perform the Phase I study was chosen by City staff from several qualified firms. He noted that ever since he’s been with the City, every firm who performed the final contract documents for construction projects has always been the same firm who had done the preliminary study. This is typically done as a cost saving measure and he believes it would be unreasonable to change firms at this point.
Cox further stated that the proposed Phase II study would provide for planning and community engagement, real estate planning, detailed entitlement permit strategy, financial feasibility and implementation strategy. The study does not design the dam or provide specific construction details and therefore does not make the project proceed. He believes that there are many benefits to a larger lake and park including recreational opportunities, open spaces, trails, boating, as well as property tax revenues, homes for current and new businesses, tourism, and other economic benefits. He added that it would also help achieve a goal for the City Council that was set a long time ago to get to a population of 40,000.
The initial feasibility study did show that a possible expansion is physically and financially feasible but there is much more studying to do before approval can be garnered from the Army Corps of Engineers, Fishing & Wildlife Service, and most importantly, the citizens of Galesburg.
Council Member Cox stated that there are many meetings to come seeking input from citizens on a variety of options such as how, where, and how big the park areas will be, what types of residential areas will be available, and where roadways and trails will be located. He further stated that the Lake Storey expansion is recommended in the Parks & Recreation Master Plan and the Comprehensive Plan.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)
21-4002
Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to table agenda item 21-4002. Roll Call #4:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
21-4103
Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Hix, to approve a change order from Prairie Forge Group for additional construction administration services in the amount of $11,070.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
21-4004
Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Hix, to approve a redevelopers agreement with the Board of Trustees of the Galesburg Public Library to provide Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance of $50,000 to reimburse the Library for the purchase of the properties at 212 and 230 West Main Street and up to $20,000 toward demolition expenses.
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 Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, that the City Council sit as the Town Board. The motion carried by voice vote.
TOWN BUSINESS
21-9000
Trustee Hix moved, seconded by Trustee Schwartzman, to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same.
| Fund Title | Amount |
| Town Fund | $1,247.80 |
| General Assistance Fund | $5,405.20 |
| IMRF Fund | $2,399.22 |
| Social Security/Medicare Fund | $2,367.64 |
| Liability Fund | |
| Audit Fund | |
| Total | $11,419.86 |
Ayes: Trustees Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Trustee Hix moved, seconded by Trustee Dennis, to resume sitting as the City Council. The motion carried by voice vote.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member Cox thanked Ken Springer and his organization for their work on the COVID Small Business Relief program.
Council Member Schwartzman stated that a resident has a concern regarding parking on North Street, specifically North Street west of Broad, and he believes it needs to be investigated. He also wished the Mayor a swift recovery.
Council Member Schwartzman also stated that there are many important issues that need to be discussed for the possible Lake Storey expansion - the scope of the project, the monetary investment, and the Council’s moral compass. He also stated that Council needs to know ahead of time when issues of this nature come up and added that he didn’t find out until the Saturday before the meeting via a Facebook post. He is pleased that the item was tabled and hopes that the Mayor will meet with each member individually to discuss the project. He also asked when a resolution on racial issues would be coming to the Council.
Council Member Andersen stated that she was also taken aback by the number of comments and emails she received regarding the Lake Storey project and agrees that time needs to be set aside to discuss and look at all options. She is also looking forward to having a serious discussion on developing a resolution regarding racial issues in our community.
Council Member Hix noted for the public that the full Lake Storey Expansion Project Phase I study is on the City’s website and he encouraged everyone to fully read the document. He stated that appreciates all the public comments and emails and will be responding soon. He implored everyone to read the facts and not to jump to conclusions based on Facebook posts. He also wished Council Member Cox a happy birthday.
Deputy Mayor Allen stated that Mayor Pritchard asked him to thank the Fire Department and GHAS for their great care and superior service when he fell last week and broke his arm. Deputy Mayor Allen also reminded everyone that we are still in the midst of a pandemic and to use precautions.
There being no further business, Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:03 p.m.
Roll Call #8:
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/1/20/01042021_City_Council_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
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