City of Galesburg City Council met March 20
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, Jaclyn Smith-Esters, Sarah Davis, and Larry Cox, 8. 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.
A moment of silence was observed 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 March 6, 2023.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Presentation: Plaques honoring railcar families
Presentation: Youth Commission Report
CONSENT AGENDA #2023-06
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion.
23-2016
Approve Resolutions 23-13 and 23-14 authorizing the submittal of the Section 5311 and Downstate Public Transit Operating Assistance Grant Applications for the period July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, and authorizing the acceptance of Special Warrant 5333(b) and Certificates and Assurances.
23-2017
Approve Resolutions 23-15 in acceptance of the OSLAD Grant award for H.T. Custer Park, with the authorizing of the Mayor to sign the 2022 OSLAD Grant Agreement.
23-2018
Approve Resolution 23-16 in acceptance of the BAAD Grant award for the restrooms at the Lake Storey Park East Boat Ramp area, with authorization of the Mayor to sign the BAAD Grant Agreement.
23-3009
Approve the bid from Martin Tractor in the amount of $92,000 with trade for the purchase of two new John Deere 5075E cab utility tractors for the Parks & Recreation Department.
23-5002
Receive the City of Galesburg 2022 Annual Report.
23-8005
Approve bills in the amount of $947,056.55 and advance checks in the amount of $602,330.59.
Council Member White inquired about the tractors for the Parks & Recreation Department. Elizabeth Varner, Parks & Recreation Director, will send the specifics to Council Members.
Council Member Wallace moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve Consent Agenda 2023-06.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: Council Member White, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried by omnibus vote.
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
23-1005
Ordinance on first reading directing the sale of twelve City-owned vacant lots.
23-1006
Ordinance on first reading authorizing the submission of the Section 5311 and Downstate Public Transit Operating Assistance Grant applications for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, to provide public transportation.
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to move agenda item 23-1006 to final reading.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to approve Ordinance 23-3695 on final reading authorizing the submission of the Section 5311 and Downstate Public Transit Operating Assistance Grant applications for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, to provide public transportation.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
23-1007
Ordinance on first reading amending authorization for the proceeds of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023, to be used for the following projects:
● City’s share of H.T. Custer Park reconstruction project $395,625
● H.T. Custer ball field improvements $100,000
● Hawthorne pool rehabilitation $2,890,075
● Irwin Street reconstruction, Grove Street to Losey Street $500,000
● Community Center initial costs $1,000,000
Council Member Cox asked the City Manager to explain the definition of arbitrage in layman’s terms for the public. Gloria Osborn, Finance & IS Director, stated that arbitrage is when bonds are sold and the interest rate at which they are sold is compared to how much money will be made on the investment. In this case, if the City does not spend the money timely, the City has to pay back some of that interest income to the IRS. She stated that it is basically a bonus if the money is spent, not necessarily a penalty.
Council Member Smith-Esters inquired about the timeline of the ordinance should it be approved. City Manager Smith stated that if approved it would be immediate. She asked if this amendment is being proposed because there isn’t enough time to spend the bond money. The City Manager stated that this amendment is not being recommended by staff.
Council Member White asked for information from the other Council Members who are in favor of the amendment. Council Member Cox stated that the City Manager brought up the concern of arbitrage if Churchill wasn’t started soon and this was a way to address those issues. Council Member Cox stated that the City could use the money that was designated for other projects for Churchill and then pay those back with the bond money.
The Mayor pointed out that this scenario could only work if money was budgeted for those projects and that if not, then this bait and switch would not work. Public Works Director, Wayne Carl, stated that four out of the five projects noted in the amendment have been budgeted.
Council Member White asked that since the projects have been budgeted, why move funding from one pocket to another. Council Member Cox stated that this would be done in order to avoid arbitrage. He is concerned about spending the bond proceeds in a timely manner since there is still no plan for the community center.
Council Member Smith-Esters stated that at their last meeting, an agreement for a study with Farnsworth for Churchill was postponed. Council Member Cox stated that it was his understanding that this study was going to provide a floor plan and that a very small portion of the study was to provide for a public meeting. He is in favor of a public meeting but does not want to begin a design for the building when the needs are still unknown. He also stated that the Churchill site is still a concern in the community. He noted that the location for a center could change after the election.
Council Member Smith-Esters stated that we need to remember what democracy is and that this site was approved on a 4 to 3 vote. Each Ward has roughly 4,100 residents and whoever gets the most votes wins. We should trust in this process as it is the foundation of America.
Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member White, to move agenda item 23-1007 to final reading.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Davis, 5.
Nays: Council Members Dennis and Cox, 2.
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Council Member Smith-Esters moved, second by Council Member White, to approve the ordinance on final reading amending the authorization for the proceeds for the use of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023, to be used for the following projects:
● City’s share of H.T. Custer Park reconstruction project $395,625
● H.T. Custer ball field improvements $100,000
● Hawthorne pool rehabilitation $2,890,075
● Irwin Street reconstruction, Grove Street to Losey Street $500,000
● Community Center initial costs $1,000,000
Roll Call #7:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, and Cox, 3.
Nays: Council Members Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Davis, 4.
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion failed.
23-2019
Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to approve Resolution 23-17 dedicating funds derived from the Home Rule Tax approved on December 19, 2022, to infrastructure and community improvement expenses. These funds will be kept in a restricted fund account.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT
Linda Miller addressed the Council and stated that she doesn’t understand why the Farnsworth Study was delayed and moved to May 1st. She understood the study would show what could go into a community center, and she specifically pointed out that Council Member Cox was concerned about the danger of not staying on schedule but then voted to postpone the vote. She asked what the motive was and that if Council Member Cox does not want the Churchill site then it needs to be made clear where he would like one located. She feels that he does not want the City to be in the community center business at all but instead of being honest, has taken action to directly harm the City by intentionally delaying the project.
Ms. Miller stated that the amended ordinance tonight only allows for $1 million for a community center, and she knows that everyone understands that that small amount would be impossible for such a center. At the last meeting, Reverend Jowers spoke about individuals destroying the very thing they are trying to protect when they don’t get their way. She imagines some Council Members waiting with a lit match ready to set the entire idea of a community center up in flames. She stated that maybe the election will provide those people but maybe it won’t, but one thing that was accomplished was that Council Member Cox made it clear that he is against this project to the point of harming the very City he claims to be protecting. She stated that Council Member Cox’s actions speak louder than his apparent support of a community center.
Council Member Cox stated that since he was personally attacked he wanted to respond to Ms. Miller; however, he added that he would have preferred to speak in private where he can discuss greater details of his position. He noted that he has stated all along that he is in favor of the former library as a location and realizes that it would take some time before the building would be available and created into a community center. This has been his proposal since the beginning and that he has not tried to harm the City but instead move the project forward and use the bond proceeds for other projects to avoid arbitrage (other project dollars would then be put into a community center). There was no intention to “burn down” a community center or the City, but instead delay the project at Churchill and move it to the former library. He added that if Ms. Miller has any questions, he would be happy to talk to her at any time.
Jerry Ryberg addressed the Council and encouraged everyone to watch The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse on Apple TV, which recently won an Oscar for best animated short film feature. He also discussed psilocybin mushrooms.
Bonnie Ericson addressed the Council and stated that she would prefer a community center at the former library, which would be more centrally located. Her thoughts are that a basketball court of some sort could also be built in the building in the future. She added that she prays for unity and that even when everyone disagrees they can still be respectful to each other.
Robert Cain stated that he appreciates the Council and noted that his family desperately needs a community center. He also stated that the former Harley-Davidson building could be a good use for a bowling alley.
Reverend Andrew Jowers addressed the Council and stated his appreciation for Council Member Davis. He stated that there is an upcoming election and that all of them have been elected to represent their Wards but that he hasn’t heard from Council Member Hix or Dennis this evening on the most controversial issues, mainly the community center. He stated that Council Member Cox says that he has his Master’s Degree in Public Administration, the same degree as the City Manager, and that the University of Illinois at Springfield is a fantastic institution that he also graduated from the same school, but that it’s not Harvard.
Reverend Jowers stated that the City Manager just started with the City in November and there seems to be an orchestrated effort to demean him and make him look bad. He is new to the job and has community support. He believes that there is a creator and that he doesn’t like sin, which will block prayers, prosperity, and kill people. He believes there is a serious problem with sin that is going on in the City. He believes that Council Member Cox is the spokesperson for others since he has not heard from any other Council Members on the bond issue.
He feels that there is a mindset going around in this City that if people have money they have power and can pull strings on what they want to happen. He stated that the wealthy have never been great advocates for the middle class. He also believes that some rich people in this community could pay for the community center but that it is not their mindset, but instead wish to keep it all for themselves -- many of whom are sitting at the dais now. These individuals don’t know anyone who is poor or personally interact with a poor person on a daily basis. He stated that they may think they’re going to win the election but they should probably ask the former Mayor how that turned out.
Council Member Dennis responded to Reverend Jowers by stating that when he comes up to speak he always singles out him and Council Member Hix for some reason. He also stated that Council Member Cox is not his voice or spokesperson but he does agree with his comments at this meeting. He also stated that he is not in the top 1% of wealthy individuals in our community and he would appreciate it if he would not put him in a situation where he has to defend himself. He added that he talked about sin and that there is no one in this place that doesn’t sin.
The Mayor asked Council Member Dennis to complete his thoughts and wrap up his comments and that he should not be having an exchange with the public.
Tom Simkins addressed the Council and announced that we lost a great public servant in the County this week in Pat Hennenfent. He also stated that he worked with Council Member Cox for many years and all the staff would likely agree that he does his homework and is honest. He isn’t in Ward 7 but feels that he has received undeserving disparaging comments. Everyone is trying to do their best and that the 4 to 3 votes are hurting the community, especially on large dollar items. He stated that it is upsetting to hear people come down on others.
Linda Lewis addressed the Council and stated that she is very passionate about a lot in our community but is not in favor of the Churchill location. She believes in having something big and bold, but that the Council needs to do what is responsible and what they can afford. Estimates for Churchill increase each time it's discussed and the City is still trying to figure out what is going into a community center. This project is going in so many different directions that it is hard to comprehend. She noted that if she were to apply for a small business loan through the City, she would be required to have had a business plan, financials, and a clear vision for her path to success. She is also concerned that the City will end up duplicating what other businesses and not-profits already offer in our community. She feels that when discussing the community center and the money that will be spent, it should be considered what is already available in the community so that the City is not competing.
Deanna Trout addressed the Council and stated other non-profit organizations could share resources at a community center and be under one roof. She noted such programs as a food pantry, tutoring, daycare, etc.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Traffic Advisory Committee March 2023 Report
B. 2023 COPS Grant - COPS Hiring Program (CHP) is a competitive award program designed to provide funding directly to law enforcement agencies to hire additional law enforcement officers in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Each award will support up to 75 percent of an officer for three years. There is a minimum 25 percent local match requirement. The consensus of the Council was to move forward with applying for the grant, which is due mid-May.
Mayor Schwartzman announced that this is Public Works Director Wayne Carl’s last meeting and thanked him for his service. He has been a diligent employee for many decades for Galesburg and has worked on most of the projects you see around the community.
Council Member White moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to sit as the Town Board. The motion carried.
TOWN BUSINESS
23-9005
Trustee Dennis moved, seconded by Trustee Davis, to approve Town bills and warrants to be drawn in payment of same.
Fund Title Amount
Town Fund $7,242,07
General Assistance Fund $4,953.33
IMRF Fund $1,367.82
Social Security/Medicare Fund $1,010.05
Liability Fund
Audit Fund
Total $14,753.27
Roll Call #9:
Ayes: Trustees Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
23-9006
Trustee Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Trustee Davis, to approve agenda for the Annual Town Meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 6:00 p.m., at the Township Office. Roll Call #10:
Ayes: Trustees Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Trustee Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Trustee White, to resume as the City Council. The motion carried.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (AGREEMENTS, APPROVALS, ETC.)
Council Member Wallace moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to reconsider agenda item 23-4023.
Roll Call #11:
Ayes: Council Members Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Davis, 4.
Nays: Council Members Hix, Dennis, and Cox, 3.
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
23-4023
Council Member Smith-Esters moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve the proposal submitted from GovHR in the amount of $31,200 to complete a Compensation, Classification and Organizational study for exempt and non-represented employees.
Council Member Davis stated that the City needs to pay City employees what they are worth and that this study would allow the opportunity to recruit and retain employees and to pay them fairly.
Council Member Cox stated that he hopes this study will not be shelved as was the case with the last study that was done in 1988.
Council Member Wallace apologized to citizens for not approving the study previously and that he needed clarity on some issues. He has always been a union employee and that all employees are vital and that the City is blessed with great staff who deserve to have a study completed.
Roll Call #12:
Ayes: Council Members Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Davis, 4.
Nays: Council Members Hix, Dennis, and Cox, 3.
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member White stated that he prays before every meeting that God works in him to say the right things and use him as a tool. He agrees that there are a lot of 4 to 3 votes but that it is democracy in action. He has heard the comments about no plan for Churchill but stated that when the City bought the Logistics Park there was no plan for that either. He noted that he has a plan for South Street, Monmouth Boulevard, the Dale Kelly Tot Lot, and would have liked the community center at Cooke School. He reminded everyone that he has only one vote, but that all votes count whether the Council Member was elected or appointed.
Council Member White stated that the 4th Ward is economically oppressed and has heard it said that people won’t visit the Ward. He stated that people cannot afford the Pavilion, which was paid for with taxpayers dollars and that when the community center was sold, residents were promised that another one would be developed. He also stated that people have the right to say anything they want to a Council Member and that they have to take it. He hopes everyone can move forward. On a side note, he noted that residents need to take down old political signs which are making the City look ugly.
Council Member Smith-Esters wished everyone a happy spring and thanked Wayne Carl for his service and that he will be missed. She thanked everyone who spoke and attended the meeting and noted that not everyone agrees with each other all the time but that they are still friends. She stated that in 2022, $11 million was lost in the City’s gaming machines, which is staggering to her. The City only received $579,000 and noted that she has been trying to work with the State of Illinois to change the percentage received and feels that communities deserve to have a larger portion of the monies. She also pointed out that fencing should be going up around the former Broadview this week.
Council Member Smith-Esters announced that she was lucky enough to attend a celebration at Allen Chapel AME called Women Follow the Lord’s Call, which was a great two-hour event. She noted a quote by Desmond Tutu, “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they're falling in.” She feels this is so important to the City -- to find out what’s wrong with our community and why everyone is fighting against each other. Instead everyone needs to come together and help each other rise up. She will always do this in Galesburg and considers this her new motto.
Council Member Davis stated that democracy has been talked about a little bit tonight, as well as the various attacks. In the United States right now, pretty much exclusively with conservative groups, attacks are being brought against everything from people’s personal medical decisions to what clothing, make-up people are allowed to wear in public to what version of history is being taught in schools because it could make some people uncomfortable in school. She feels this is a big problem and that we need to push back and make it clear that our own lives are our responsibility. The vitriol perpetuated, mainly against the queer community, has to be pushed back against. She is an out and loud queer woman who is engaged to a transgender non-binary person and there are people who want them dead. She just wants to make it clear so that everyone is aware since she interacts with it on a daily basis and she will keep bringing it to the forefront so that everyone remembers what isn’t in front of their faces every day -- a fight for their lives.
Council Member Davis also reminded everyone that there is an election on April 4th and that vote by mail is still available until March 30th. She also noted that residents could also get registered by going to City Hall.
Council Member Cox stated that he wanted to correct something that he stated at the last candidate forum where he noted that nearly three quarters of the people surveyed said they wanted the City to spend $5 million or less on a community center. Actually, just over half of those surveyed are the correct number.
Council Member Cox also congratulated Deputy Chief Hostens on graduating from the FBI Academy. He also thanked Wayne Carl for his many years of service. He added that in 2002, when Maytag closed, there were major cuts in City staff and Wayne stepped up and took on more work, including supervising a whole other division in Public Works. When the study was done about rerouting the former Santa Fe rail lines around Galesburg, Wayne took on more work and then took on the three grade separations. He also assisted in the Quiet Zones. There were many projects with the Illinois Commerce Commission, Department of Transportation, and other consultants that Wayne took on and he can’t thank him enough for his hard work and professionalism.
Council Member Hix stated that he has greatly appreciated everything Wayne Carl has done for him and provided over his time as an alderman. He always provided answers and took care of issues and he will be missed. He also congratulated Deputy Chief on his many hours of hard work at the FBI Academy. He expressed his condolences to Pat Hennenfet’s family and stated that he was a friend and colleague.
Council Member Dennis thanked Wayne Carl as well and added that he has always gone above and beyond the call of duty. He also pointed out that his 17-year-old grandson is in attendance for the meeting.
Council Member Wallace appreciated the presentation of the Hispanic boxcar families and added that their heritage is so important to our community. He noted that he is honored to be affiliated with these individuals as his grandfather built wooden boxcars. He reported that he was able to attend a skate party sponsored by Mr. Coleman, which was well attended. He also had the privilege of having dinner with firefighters who are working on expanding diversity in the Department.
Council Member Wallace also expressed his condolences to the family of Pat Hennenfent, a fellow Warren County resident. He added that he will miss Wayne Carl and thanked him for his service and reiterated that he is always impressed with City staff and thanked them for their work and love of the community.
Mayor Schwartzman stated that what he thinks is going on in the community at this time is the acceptance of a false narrative that is all over the local and national media. This narrative is that we are living in horrible times, have no money, no future and no options, and because this is heard over and over again it begins to ring true. People start locking their doors, buying weapons, creating dividing lines, and he thinks we have to reject all of this as a community. He noted that if you visit his Mayor’s Facebook page, you will find that he has started to regularly post on things that he thinks have been falsely reported, specifically the finances of the City. He believes that many of these comments are absolutely false and that the numbers will bear truth to this. He understands that people may disagree on how much should be spent or invested, but to say that there is no money for our children or elders is based upon fear. The City has done a great job over the last several years to ensure that we are in good financial status and able to invest $4 million in a new pool, and other projects.
Speaking specifically about Churchill and the concept that the City should have a business plan, the Mayor stated that we are not a business, which is lost on a lot of people. Every single meeting allows for voting on specific steps through a process, and that it takes a long time is simply how government functions. He noted that we have an Executive Summary that spells out everything that has been done for a community center. Every step has come before the Council for a vote and a plan is developing, which will take time. He adamantly stated that very little has been spent on a community center to date due to the fact that it has not been decided what is wanted in a center. He believes criticisms along this line are false and that many recognize it, and for those who don’t, he hopes they reconsider.
He thanked Mr. Carl again for the past twelve years he has worked with him and his responsiveness with the best information he could provide and reiterated that he will be missed.
He noted that he had a chance to attend the skate park as well, which continues to develop after sitting empty for years, and has been started by an African American entrepreneur. The City has funds that are now available for these types of projects and feels that this is what makes Galesburg great and thanked Mr. Spinks for believing in Galesburg. He also stated that there is a solar park that is being installed at the Logistics Park, more than a $2 million investment, and another project will happen next year as well. There are other things going on at the Logistics Park that cannot yet be discussed because of the private nature of the ventures. The Mayor added that he loves the idea of having a tree-lined Monmouth Boulevard as suggested by Council Member White.
Lastly, the Mayor noted the ceremony that happened at the beginning of the meeting where contributions were recognized by different people and their families. He believes it is amazing that we still have people living in our city that used to live in railroad cars and is glad they were recognized with the four plaques. He thanked Carl Sandburg students who took the initiative to contact members of their community who were open with these stories.
Council Member Cox moved, seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters, to adjourn into Executive Session at 7:38 p.m. for the purposes of discussing property acquisition (5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(5) and the approval of the executive session minutes from March 6, 2023 (5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(21).
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.
During the Executive Session, Council Member Cox, seconded by Council Member Wallace, to adjourn the Executive Session at 7:52 p.m.
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.
https://cms7files.revize.com/galesburg/Document_Center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/City%20Council/2023/032023%20City%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf
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