Galesburg Reporter

City of Galesburg City Council met Sept. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Called to order by Mayor Peter Schwartzman at 5:30 p.m.

Roll Call #1: Present: Mayor Peter Schwartzman, Council Members Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis, Kevin Wallace, Jaclyn Smith-Esters, Sarah Davis, and Larry Cox, 7. Present via Telephone: Council Member Dwight White, 1. Also Present: Interim City Manager Wayne Carl, Interim City Attorney Paul Mangieri, and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.

Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Semenya McCord gave the invocation.

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to approve the minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting from September 6, 2022.

Roll Call #2:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Proclamation: Constitution Week

Presentation: Blue Ribbon Award presented for 560 Liberty Street

CONSENT AGENDA #2022-18

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

22-3034

Approve the purchase of the replacement of the Training Tower from WHP Training Towers for $301,282 and authorize utilization of City funds for the cost of construction in excess of the grant award in $200,000.

22-2052

Approve Resolution 22-46 authorizing the transfer of $39,035 from the Tax Increment Financing District II fund to the TIF IV fund for redeveloper assistance to R3DOGS, LLC (Cherry Street Brewing Company) for eligible renovation costs at 57 South Cherry Street.

22-2053

Approve Resolution 22-47 authorizing the Mayor to sign the FY 2023 Grant Agreement for the Downstate Operating Assistance Program Grant Agreement for the City’s transit program.

22-2054

Approve Resolution 22-48 authorizing the Mayor to sign the FY 2023 Grant Agreement for the Section 5311 Federal Operating Assistance Grant for the City’s transit program.

22-2055

Approve Resolution 22-49 ceding the City’s 2022 private activity bonding authority to the Quad Cities Regional Economic Development Authority (QCREDA).

22-6004

Approve the following commission appointments:

Airport Advisory Commission

Ken Springer, term expires September 2025.

Phillip Wolford, term expires September 2025.

22-8017

Approve bills in the amount of $1,160,513.51 and advance checks in the amount of $26,852.

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Wallace, to approve Consent Agenda 2022-18.

Roll Call #3:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.

PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

22-1026

Council Member Wallace moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve Ordinance 22-3681 on final reading authorizing the sale of a vacant lot formerly known as 848 South Broad Street for the amount of $100.

Roll Call #4:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

22-1027

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve Special Ordinance 22-614 on final reading authorizing the purchase of 1212 Maple Avenue for a cost of $8,000. Once ownership is acquired, staff will evaluate if it is salvageable.

Roll Call #5:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

22-1028

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve Special Ordinance 22-615 on final reading authorizing the sale of unused or retired vehicles, miscellaneous obsolete parts, miscellaneous tools, and various office storage items and equipment through PurpleWave Auctions. A press release will be issued when the auction goes live.

Roll Call #6:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

22-1029

Ordinance on first reading adjusting various rates and fees collected by the City. The Mayor asked that anyone with questions contact the Administration. It was also noted that several fees had not been increased in fifteen or more years and that they are in line with other comparable communities.

22-1030

Ordinance on first reading authorizing the purchase of 694 U.S. Highway 150 East in the amount of $823. Steve Gugliotta, Community Development Director, reported that the properties around this parcel were annexed in the last two years. Also, Tompkins State Bank was recently sent a notice to inquire on annexation.

22-2056

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve Resolution 22-50 for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant application for the Lake Storey Multi-Use Path Extension. A grant award notification should go out in the spring but the design for the path is on track.

Roll Call #7:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

22-2057

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to approve Resolution 22-51 authorizing the Mayor, City Clerk, Director of Parks and Recreation, and the interim City Manager to sign and submit the 2023 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant application for Lancaster Park. A grant award notification will likely happen in August 2023 with the project happening in Spring 2024.

Roll Call #8:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS

22-3035

Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to approve a bid from Brown Excavating & Demolition in the amount of $118,994 for the demolition and clean-up of 820 East Fifth Street. It was noted that the City has no plans for the property at this time.

Roll Call #9:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

22-3036

Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve a bid from Truck Centers, Inc. in the amount of $177,496 for two dump trucks for the Street Division.

Roll Call #10:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

22-3037

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to approve a bid from Monroe Truck Equipment in the amount of $158,270 for two dump trucks/snow plows/salt spreaders for the Street Division.

Roll Call #11:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

A. September Traffic Advisory Committee Report

B. Trick or Treat hours: Monday, October 31st, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

C. A Work Session will be held on Monday, September 26th, 5:30 p.m. regarding the proposed community center.

The Mayor asked that PTAC look into adding a crosswalk or hazard lighting to the intersection of Tompkins Street and Academy Street. He also announced that this is the last week for Fall Clean-Up Days and directed residents to the website for information on putting things out on the curb.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)

22-4089

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to approve an addendum to the agreement between the City and the Public Safety Employees Organization (PSEO) for creating and implementing twelve hour shifts opposed to the current eight hour shifts, effective January 1, 2023. Chief Idle noted that the Department is currently down ten officers.

Roll Call #12:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

22-4090

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve a facade assistance grant in an amount not to exceed the maximum of $39,035, or 50% of the actual final project, whichever is less, for R3DOGS, Inc. (d/b/a Cherry Street Brewing Company).

Roll Call #13:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7. Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

22-4091

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve a service contract between the City of Galesburg Transit and Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging to provide riders sixty years of age and older transportation. The contract would expire September 2023.

Roll Call #14:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to sit as the Town Board. The motion carried.

TOWN BUSINESS

22-9020

Trustee Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Trustee Davis, to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same.

Fund Title Amount

Town Fund $6,331.96

General Assistance Fund $5,436.90

IMRF Fund $1,775.54

Social Security/Medicare Fund

Liability Fund

Audit Fund

Total $13,544.40

Roll Call #15:

Ayes: Trustees Hix, Dennis, Wallace, Smith-Esters, White, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Wallace, to resume as the City Council. The motion carried.

CLOSING COMMENTS

Council Member Smith-Esters stated that she had the pleasure of attending the Illinois Municipal League conference Thursday through Saturday and was approached by many complimenting Galesburg on being progressive and impressed with our community. She also thanked Semenya McCord for her moving invocations and appreciates her being available.

Council Member Davis expressed her gladness at being back after COVID, which is still very active in our community. She implored residents to be safe and vigilant and to stay home if they feel ill. She also stated that there are many great developments happening in Galesburg, and specifically noted the new Library construction.

Council Member Cox noted that with the upgrades and continued use for Hawthorne Pool, Galesburg will be among top cities in downstate Illinois to have something of this caliber. He also believes we have more park acres per capita and hopes that we are able to market both. He agrees that our parks and facilities need to be maintained but that many times they are cut out of the budget for lack of funding. He believes we need to invest in what we have, including the Lake Storey trail. He noted that there are several sections of the trail that need to be widened or resurfaced. He requested that staff look at adding $100,000 to $200,000 to the budget annually, possibly from the Utility Fund.

Council Member Hix stated that he also attended the IML conference and attended a session recruiting employees. He noted that he appreciates our employees and is grateful for all they do, especially Wayne Carl who has stepped in as Interim City Manager. He thanked Firefighter Terry Woolsey for his service and wished him well on his retirement.

Council Member Dennis stated that he attended a class reunion at the Lake Storey Shelter that his graduating class donated. He thanked the City and Parks and Recreation Department for their help on the event.

Council Member Wallace stated that a recent article in the Register-Mail by Bruce Weik was eye opening and enlightening on racism and its history in Galesburg. He thanked City staff and the law enforcement community for working through COVID and appreciates all they do.

Council Member Wallace understands that there are some projects that are not funded and that we will need to look for funding. He also noted that he is aware of several ideas and recommendations for the property at 820 East Fifth Street. He would also like to move forward with naming the baseball field at H.T. Custer park after Jim Issacson. Council Member Wallace thanked Elizabeth Varner for all her enthusiasm for the parks and recreation in our community.

Council Member White stated that he also attended IML and that he always learns something new. He noted that information on the sessions that were presented is available on the IML website. He thanked everyone for accommodating him tonight and hopes to be back in person for the next meeting.

Mayor Schwartzman announced his Mayor Appreciation Award to Rick Ward for helping a relative and veteran in need, and for enlisting others to help a family recover from an unfortunate accident.

The Mayor stated that Knox College is back in session so he’s teaching again and that he had the pleasure of attending IML as well. While at IML, he was invited by Craig Whitehead to attend the Illinois Manufacturing Trade Show at the McCormick Center. He thanked Ken Springer and the Vocational Center for bringing seventy area students to the event as well, which boasted over 87,000 attendees.

Mayor Schwarztman reminded the public that the City Council will hold a Work Session on Monday, September 26th, 5:30 p.m. to talk about the proposed community center. He also noted that the City held an employee appreciation luncheon a few weeks ago but was out of town and unable to attend.

He reported that Darl Krejci will once again be putting together the Galesburg Haunted Trail at the Nature Center and invited people to volunteer or attend the event. Last year, Krejci presented a check to the City from the event’s donations.

There being no further business, Council Member Smith-Esters, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:39 p.m.

Roll Call #16:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, Smith-Esters, White, Davis, and Cox, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

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