Galesburg Reporter

City of Galesburg City Council met Oct. 17.

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, Dwight White, Sarah Davis, Jaclyn Smith-Esters, and Larry Cox, 8. 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 Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Wallace, to approve the minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting from October 3, 2022.

Roll Call #2:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Abstain: Council Member Davis, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried.

Proclamations: Manufacturing Month

United Way Months

CONSENT AGENDA #2022-20

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

22-2059

Approve a Supplemental Motor Fuel Tax Resolution in the amount of $2,068.69 for the Flashing Yellow Arrow Project.

22-2060

Approve Resolution 22-52 authorizing the transfer of $10,536.26 from the TIF District II fund to the TIF District IV fund.

22-6005

Approve the appointment of Annette McAllister (term expires June 2024) to the Public Transportation Advisory Commission.

22-8019

Approve bills in the amount of $1,259,349.68 and advance checks in the amount of $316,510.91.

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve Consent Agenda 2022-20.

Roll Call #3:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.

PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

22-1031

Ordinance on first reading amending Chapter 50 of the Galesburg Municipal Code amending definitions and removing references to Clean Up Days.

22-1032

Ordinance on first reading adjusting the monthly refuse rate based on the approval of the new refuse contract and removing the fee for bags of ice for the Parks & Recreation Department.

22-2061

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve Resolution 22-53 supporting the National Railroad Hall of Fame and the intent to pledge up to $1 million towards the construction and development of the National Railroad Hall of Fame. Roll Call #4:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, White, Davis, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 6.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Abstain: Council Member Wallace, 1.

Chairman declared motion carried.

BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS

PUBLIC COMMENT

Tom Simkins, Karrie Heartlein, Gayla Pacheco, and Harrell Timmons, thanked the Council for their support on the renewed Blue Ribbon Award program in conjunction with Community Development. This month, they would like to honor the City with the award for the demolition of the structure at Chambers and South Streets. They understand how difficult it is to take demolition action on properties and they appreciate the commitment the City has for wanting the community to look attractive.

Robert Cain addressed the Council and understands that Waste Management is a large corporation and he hopes they are providing excellent services to the City and community.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

A. October 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, October 24th, 5:30 p.m., to discuss the recent Community Survey and the City’s Capital Improvement Plan.

D. A work session will be held on Monday, November 14th, 5:30 p.m., to discuss the City’s finances.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)

22-4095

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve a three-year agreement with Azavar to provide revenue and tax audits to the City of Galesburg.

Council Member Hix inquired about the ability to audit other fees, such as hotel/motel tax. Finance Director Gloria Osborn stated that her staff makes those inquiries and has a good relationship with the local businesses in terms of collection. She also noted that the State collects many of these fees, which are then routed to the City.

Council Member Hix stated that he would be interested in designating the money recouped from this agreement towards the City’s police and fire pensions.

Roll Call #5:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

22-4096

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Wallace, to approve a Tourism Agreement with the Galesburg Tourism and Visitors Bureau ending December 31, 2025, to develop, design, and implement a tourism marketing program for the purpose of promoting the City of Galesburg and Knox County. The City will pay the Bureau $190,000 annually from the hotel/motel tax revenues.

Roll Call #6:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

22-4097

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to approve a three-year lease agreement with the Galesburg Tourism and Visitors Bureau for 2163 East Main Street (Welcome Center)

Roll Call #7:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

22-4098

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve an engineering agreement with Hutchison Engineering in the amount of $259,619 for the Lake Storey Multi-Use Path project.

Roll Call #8:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

22-4099

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve a Major Project Grant in the amount of $200,000 to FCA, LLC.

Roll Call #9:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

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

TOWN BUSINESS

22-9023

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                                    $7,725.19

General Assistance Fund              $2,165.32

IMRF Fund                                    $1,775.54

Social Security/Medicare Fund

Liability Fund

Audit Fund

Total                                            $11,666.05

Roll Call #10:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

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

CLOSING COMMENTS

Council Member Smith-Esters stated that with the colder temperatures and time changing soon, she asked citizens to be mindful of kids getting to and from school. She also announced that early voting is taking place at City Hall, reminding citizens that changing government is up to the residents and encouraging them to vote.

Council Member Davis stated that with Halloween approaching everyone needs to be extremely careful since kids will be running around. She also invited the public to Treat Street, downton Galesburg, Saturday, October 29th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Council Member Hix thanked the City for issuing a proclamation for the United Way Months. He also announced that there will be a Great Balloon Race Fall Music Trivia event on Saturday, October 22nd at the Knights of Columbus.

He also stated that the SAFE-T Act resolution will be back on the Council agenda at their November 7th meeting. He noted that he had not read the entire bill but that the senators and representatives likely didn’t read it as well, especially since 700 pages were added to the original act during the Lame Duck session. Because this act impacts crime, safety, and our residents, he feels that it needs to be reviewed. He noted that in 2021, the City had 57 confirmed shootings, some of which could have walked free due to no cash bond for some serious crimes. He also noted that the State’s Attorney filed a lawsuit to get rid of the act less than 24-hours after he addressed the Council.

Council Member Wallace stated that he has lost many friends throughout his time at the Railroad due to stress. He suggested that possibly the City look at starting a social services commission to help people in our community become better functioning adults, similar to the help the City provides through the Youth commission. Council Member Wallace echoed Council Member Hix’s sentiments regarding the SAFE-T Act and that it needs to be reviewed.

He also thanked Ken Springer for his work on bringing jobs and people back into our community.

Council Member Dennis announced that Jerry McClaren passed away yesterday and that he was an officer with the Knox County Sheriff’s office and will be sadly missed in the community.

Council Member White also thanked Ken Springer for bringing many projects to fruition and that he is grateful for all he does for our community.

He thanked State’s Attorney Karlin for questioning items in the SAFE-T Act, such as if no bail is unconstitutional. He noted that the Council has no power to change the act, but suggested people call their legislators. He applauded the State’s Attorney for bringing the act back into perspective and argued that many people need these reformed laws. Council Member White also thanked Council Member Hix for his questions on the Azavar agreement.

Mayor Schwartzman thanked Ken Springer for the information on the Manufacturing Showcase scheduled for Thursday, October 27th, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Galesburg Area Vocational Center. The Mayor stated that he was also able to be at the installation of a Fit Pit at Silas Willard School. He thanked OSF, Tom Simkins, and Mark & Jeanette Kleine for their help with the project. He also thanked Randy Newcomb for the sweatshirts that he provided to the Council and noted that they would be available for sale at Discovery Depot and the Arts Center.

The Mayor invited residents to take part in the Haunted Trail - Walk of the Dead at the Lake Storey Nature Center, open every Friday and Saturday in October, 7 - 11 p.m. He thanked Darla Krejci for all her work on the project.

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

Roll Call #11:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared motion carried.

https://cms7files.revize.com/galesburg/Document_Center/101722%20City%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf