Galesburg Reporter

City of Galesburg City Council met Feb. 6.

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, Dwight White, Jaclyn Smith-Esters, Sarah Davis, and Larry Cox, 7. Absent: Council Member Kevin Wallace, 1. Also Present: City Manager Gerald C. Smith, Interim City Attorney Paul Mangieri, and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.

Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

The Mayor asked for a moment of silence in lieu of an invocation.

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve the minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting from January 17, 2023.

Roll Call #2:

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

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Wallace, 1.

Chairman declared the motion carried.

Proclamation: Knox College Annual Day of Giving/Knox Proud Day

Proclamation: Youth Extra Effort Award to Baylie Mayfield

Presentation: Youth Commission Report

CONSENT AGENDA #2023-03 

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

23-2007 

Approve Resolution 23-06 authorizing the execution of a technical assistance grant agreement for the period of February 6, 2023, though January 5, 2025.

23-4008 

Approve consultant engineering services with Bruner Cooper & Zuck, Inc., and Geotechnics for material testing for asphalt and concrete for calendar year 2023. The City Gas Tax budget includes funds up to $20,000 for this work.

22-4009 

Approve an updated zoning map.

23-8002 

Approve bills in the amount of $1,451,673.91 and advance checks in the amount of $900,632.59.

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member White, to approve Consent Agenda 2023-03.

Roll Call #3:

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

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Wallace, 1.

Chairman declared the motion carried by omnibus vote.

PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 

23-1000 

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to approve Ordinance 23-3690 on final reading amending the zoning from Two Family (R2) to Institutional (I), for the parcel generally located west of Gale Village Drive.

Roll Call #4:

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

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Wallace, 1.

Chairman declared the motion carried.

23-1001 

Council Member White moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve Ordinance 23-3691 on final reading amending the zoning from Single Family (R1B) to Single Family (R1A), for the property located at the southwest corner of Louisville Road and South Academy Street. Roll Call #5:

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

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Wallace, 1.

Chairman declared the motion carried.

23-2008 

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to approve Resolution 23-07 authorizing an agreement for the purchase of the property located at 1094 West Main Street for the Water Division in the amount of $50,000.

Roll Call #6:

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

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Wallace, 1.

Chairman declared the motion carried.

BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS 

23-3001 

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member White, to approve the bid from Jimax Demolition in the amount of $405,470.23 for the demolition and clean-up of 29 Public Square.

Roll Call #7:

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

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Wallace, 1.

Chairman declared the motion carried.

23-3002 

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve the bid from M&O Environmental in the amount of $16,400 to complete necessary asbestos abatement as part of the Public Safety Building HVAC replacement.

Roll Call #8:

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

Nays: None

Absent: Council Member Wallace, 1.

Chairman declared the motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

Jerry Ryberg addressed the Council and stated that he was disappointed not to see anything on the geese on the agenda. He believes a harvest charity would be the best idea and hopes Council will move forward with remedying the issue.

Samuel Carrington addressed the Council and stated that the Council Member from Ward One has failed to take accountability and that he plans to continue to attend meetings and not be silenced. He feels that this person continues to weaken the City, lacks integrity, fails to pay attention to important issues and makes cowardly choices. Carrington hopes there is an apology, which would require courage.

Holly McDorman, PFLAG president, addressed the Council and stressed her disappointment that the Council passed a resolution in support of LGBTQ+ individuals, but that none of them showed up at the last PFLAG meeting. She hopes they attend in the future in order to show support and listen, learn, and that each of them become a better ally. She presented ways to learn about the LGBTQ+ community, including the use of pronouns, not asking a transgender their real name, or making posts or jokes. McDorman invited the Council to attend the next meeting on February 11th, 3 p.m. at the Galesburg Public Library.

Jeremy Kleine, representing Galesburg American Legion Baseball Post #285, addressed the Council and thanked them for their service. He announced that the Illinois American Legion State Tournament will be held in Galesburg, July 25-29, 2023. He noted that the last time Galesburg hosted was 2011. They are estimating approximately 2,000-3,000 visitors, who will of course spend money on restaurants, shopping, and hotels during their stay. Kleine also noted that as host, Post #285 has the responsibility for lodging, meals, rental of fields, and umpires, etc. They are estimating this to be around $25,000 to $30,000. He hopes that the organization can count on the City’s support.

Robert Cain stated that he appreciates the Council’s decision on getting the square cleaned up and hopes that the Council can begin to get along with each other and move forward.

Council Member Dennis left the meeting at 6:12 p.m.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT 

Council Member Wallace joined the meeting via phone at 6:14 p.m.

City Manager Smith announced that he would be attending the Illinois City/County Management Association meeting in Bloomington this week. Community Development Director Steve Gugliotta will serve as acting City Manager in his absence.

Council Member Dennis returned to the meeting at 6:15 p.m.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (AGREEMENTS, APPROVALS, ETC.) 

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to remove agenda item 23-4004 from the table.

Roll Call #9:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

23-4004 

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve a Minor Plat of the Gale Village re-subdivision number 2.

Roll Call #10:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

23-4010 

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve the opening of a five-year protected street on Prairie Street between Main Street and Ferris Street to allow Stratus Networks to install fiber optic to 143 East Main Street.

Roll Call #11:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

23-4011 

Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve an intergovernmental agreement with Knox County for a $25,000 ARPA Grant to widen and resurface a section of the Lake Storey Bike Path.

Roll Call #12:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

23-4012 

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve a Joint Funding Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the Lake Storey Multi-Use Path project in the amount of $164,020.

Roll Call #13:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

23-4013 

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to approve a Revolving Loan in the amount of $10,000 for a period of five years for Black Market Bagels, LLC.

Ken Springer, KCAP, and Keith Anderson, Black Market Bagels, expressed their appreciation to the Council for their consideration.

Roll Call #14:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

23-4014 

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to approve the demolition process for the following properties:

1. 465 West Second Street

2. 99 North Elm Street

3. 1450 Rock Island Avenue

4. 357 North Chambers Street

5. 58 North Pearl Street

Roll Call #15:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

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

TOWN BUSINESS 

23-9002 

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

          Fund Title                                 Amount 

Town Fund                                     $5,678.29

General Assistance Fund              $3,619.83

IMRF Fund

Social Security/Medicare Fund

Liability Fund

Audit Fund

Total                                               $9,298.12

Roll Call #16:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

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

CLOSING COMMENTS 

Council Member White thanked Chief Idle for making his statement regarding the Tyre Nichols tragedy and added that he feels safe in Galesburg. He also noted that February is Black History Month and thanked everyone who showed up for the showing of 1619 at The Orpheum Theatre. He also noted Hiram Revels, the first African American in the U.S. Senate, attended Knox College, and Barnabas Root, the college’s first ‘international’ student, was one of the first Black college graduates in Illinois.

Council Member White also feels that the Legion Baseball Tournament in Galesburg is a great accomplishment for the city.

Council Member Smith-Esters thanked everyone for coming and stated how impressed she is for Baylie Mayfield and the project she has done in conjunction with the Salvation Army. She also stated that she is very excited about the demolition of 29 Public Square and that there are a lot of dilapidated buildings in Ward Five that are finally being resolved. She also noted that 1619 is streaming on Hulu if anyone is interested in watching.

Council Member Davis thanked everyone who showed up, or are watching, and appreciates those who have invested their time and attention into the City. She specifically thanked Holly McDorman for her courage in speaking and bringing education to the Council.

Council Member Hix congratulated Baylie Mayfield on her award.

Mayor Schwartzman gave his condolences to Steve Benedict’s family on his passing and added that he has worked with Steve’s wife, Karen, for many years at Knox College. The Mayor also stated that last Tuesday he hosted a community forum on the community center and received a lot of public comments. He will be sharing those notes with the Council, and any member of the public is welcome to email him for a copy.

He thanked staff and Administration for their hard work on the Broadview, which has been a multi-year project. He expressed his appreciation to residents who have been vigilant on watching out for safety issues with the building.

The Mayor congratulated Baylie Mayfield as well and stated that she is a role model to everyone. He announced a new initiative and website, We are Galesburg. He hopes to engage the community by having residents share their testimonies, images, history, and pride. There will be many posts for Black History month as well.

Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member White, to adjourn into Executive Session at 6:46 p.m. for the purposes of discussing litigation (5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(11). Roll Call #17:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

During the Executive Session, Council Member Smith-Esters, seconded by Council Member Hix, to adjourn the Executive Session at 7:17 p.m.

Roll Call #18:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

https://cms7files.revize.com/galesburg/Document_Center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/City%20Council/2023/020623%20City%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf