Galesburg Reporter

City of Galesburg City Council met Aug. 5

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Called to order by Mayor Peter Schwartzman at 6:00 p.m. 

Roll Call #1: Present: Mayor Peter Schwartzman, Council Members Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis, Evan Miller, Dwight White, Heather Acerra, Sarah Davis, and Steve Cheesman, 8. Also Present: City Manager Eric Hanson, City Attorney James Kelly, and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz. 

Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Reverend Tony Franklin gave the invocation. 

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve the minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting from July 15, 2024. 

Roll Call #2: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

Proclamations: Labor Day Proclamation 

Men of Distinction and Women of Character 10-Year Anniversary Celebration PUBLIC COMMENT 

David Selkirk addressed the Council and stated that the City took over Bunker Links in 2015 and in March of that year there were 402 rounds played and this year in March, there were 2,283 rounds played. He announced that there was a very successful Iowa PGA juniors event held at the course, as well as the Knox County Elite Volleyball, Rebels for a Cure, the All City Men and Women’s tournaments, and the Peoria Sandtrappers. He also congratulated Bryan Luedtke, golf professional, who placed sixth place in the Iowa Senior PGA Tournament. 

Richard Stout addressed the Council stating that on the agenda tonight is a resolution for the purchase of ballot tabulators. As an election judge and a frequent attendee of the election commission meetings, he wanted to urge the Council to support the expenditure of funds for these new ballot tabulators and noted that the existing tabulators are 20 years old and that replacement parts are no longer available. In order to have confidence in our elections, and have adequate equipment, he encouraged the Council to approve the resolution that is before them tonight. 

CONSENT AGENDA #2024-13 

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

24-4047 

Approve local landmark designation for the chapel located at 2231 Windish Drive. 

24-4048 

Approve the submission of a one-time grant application to Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging for Title III funding for use in fiscal year 2024. 

24-3028 

Receive Motor Fuel Tax Compliance Review Report for January 1, 2023, and ending December 31, 2023. 

24-6002 

Approve the reappointment of Aaron Repp, Airport Advisory Commission, term expiring September 2027. 

24-8012 

Approve bills in the amount of $730,704.31 and advance checks in the amount of $506,954.66. 

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve Consent Agenda 2024-13. 

Roll Call #3: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried by omnibus vote. 

PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 

24-1015 

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve Ordinance 24-3736 on final reading amending the business at 275 North Seminary Street from Multi-Family (R3A) to Neighborhood Business (B1). 

Roll Call #4: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

24-1016 

Ordinance on first reading directing the sale of retired, confiscated or abandoned property. 

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to suspend the rules and move agenda item 24-1016 to final reading. 

Roll Call #5: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, and Cheesman, 6. Nays: Council Member Davis, 1. 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve Special Ordinance 24-624 on final reading directing the sale of retired, confiscated or abandoned property. 

Roll Call #6: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

24-2018 

Council Member Davis moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve Resolution 24-16 contributing funds from the General Fund to the Election Commission for the purchase of paper ballot tabulators, software and reporting system. 

Roll Call #7: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS 

24-3031 

Council Member White moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to approve the bid for the Simmons Street Parking Lot and Streetscape project. It was recommended to reject all bids. Roll Call #8: 

Ayes: None 

Nays: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

24-3032 

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to approve the proposal from CTS Software in the amount of $77,756 for the purchase of dispatch software for Galesburg Transit. Annual maintenance would be $34,608 for five years. Roll Call #9: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

24-3033 

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member White, to approve the bid from Breslin’s Floor Covering in the amount of $32,028.85 to replace carpeting on the fourth floor of the Public Safety Building. 

Roll Call #10: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

24-3034 

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member White, to approve the bid submitted by Yemm Chevrolet in the amount of $43,999 for the purchase of a 2025 RAM 1500 pickup truck for the Fire Department. 

Roll Call #11: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

24-3035 

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve the bid submitted by Bob Ridings, Inc., in the amount of $91,766 for the purchase of two 2025 Ford Interceptor AWD utility vehicles for the Fire Department. 

Roll Call #12: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT 

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (AGREEMENTS, APPROVALS, ETC.) 

24-4049 

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve the installation of equipment for sixteen new police vehicles in the amount of approximately $71,200 to Supreme Radio. 

Roll Call #13: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. August 5, 2024 Page 4 of 9

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

24-4050 

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member White, to approve a service contract between the City of Galesburg Transit and Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging to provide riders 60 years of age and older transportation. This contract is valid October 2024 through September 2025. 

Roll Call #14: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

24-4051 

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Miller, to approve demolition action on the following properties: 

1. 236 N Kellogg St. (Residence) 

2. 1011 E Brooks St. (Residence) 

3. 862 S Seminary St. (Residence & Detached Garage) 

4. 208 Ohio Ave (Residence & Detached Garage) 

5. 201 Garfield Ave (Residence & Detached Garage) 

6. 567 S Henderson St. (Residence) 

7. 1500 Morton Ave (Residence) 

8. 1074 E South St. (Residence & Shed) 

9. 188 N Chambers St. (Residence) 

Roll Call #15: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

24-4052 

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member White, to approve the application of an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency site-specific cleanup grant in the amount of $500,000 and a Community Wide Assessment Grant in the amount of $500,000 in the fall of 2024. 

Roll Call #16: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

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

TOWN BUSINESS 

24-9014 

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

Fund Title Amount 

Town Fund $16,253.66 

General Assistance Fund $10,089.00 

IMRF Fund 

Social Security/Medicare Fund 

Liability Fund $3,894.57 

Audit Fund 

Total $30,237.23 

Roll Call #17: 

Ayes: Trustees Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Chairman declared the motion carried. 

Trustee Miller moved, seconded by Trustee Acerra, to resume as the City Council. The motion carried. 

CLOSING COMMENTS 

Council Member Acerra expressed that her son was married on Saturday, and that she had the opportunity to enjoy many of the amenities of Galesburg and to show off the City to relatives and friends from around the world. She wanted to mention some of the entities that were super outstanding and made her proud to live here. She had many people staying at the Great House, where they also had a wonderful murder mystery bachelorette party. The ceremony occurred at her church, Corpus Christi, which she thinks is the most beautiful church in town, of which she is very proud. There was also the Galesburg Community Art Center, which has been recently remodeled. She stated that their reception was one of the first events to be held in the gallery area and that it was fantastic. She added that everyone noted how incredible the space was at the Art Center and she wanted to also express that everyone who worked there was so nice, extremely positive, and had great attitudes even though it was a busy and late night. 

Council Member Acerra concluded that there were many folks here from Portugal still today, and she brought them here to show them our lovely Public Safety Building and City Hall. She also took them to Knox College and went to many of the wonderful new exhibits that describe the Lincoln Douglas debates, the wonderful history of Knox College and Galesburg as a town being settled through a large religious and abolitionist movement. She added that they were fascinated that Knox College was one of the first colleges in the United States to admit women and people of all races on the same basis as white men. She closed by saying her guests were impressed by our town, and that she was really happy with all the people in the City that made this a special event. 

Council Member Davis stated that she had a great time getting to dance in the recent Dancing with the Galesburg Stars, and that one of her competitors there who did an excellent job was Council Member Acerra’s son and his now wife. She added that it was a super fun event to participate in and encouraged everyone to stay tuned for another event in the next few months. She also thanked Council Member Acerra for her connection and the work involved in bringing the event to Galesburg. She also encouraged everyone in the community to stay safe and alert since it's about to be the start of a new school year. There are going to be extra people, pedestrians and vehicle traffic in areas near the schools at the beginning and ending of school so she asked everyone to be alert and stay safe and to support the community in that way. 

Council Member Cheesman thanked Mr. Law and the fantastic job he does with the Men of Distinction and Women of Character groups. He added that they bring so much to our community and that he has watched them with the Gale scholars and through other relationships and how they go about their business and contribute to our entire region is off the charts. He noted that one of the things he is impressed with is the high standards and expectations that the groups hold for themselves and that this is something everyone could look to as a great example of how you can achieve much in life when you expect much. 

Council Member Hix recognized Ken Springer and Steve Gugliotta, who both work exceptionally hard Monday through Friday, but were kind enough to give up part of their Saturday to assist in working on a new commercial project in town that hopefully in the next couple of years will come to fruition. He appreciates them giving him an hour of their time on Saturday and sharing their ideas and talking through some of the things that we as the City can offer the prospective client that's coming into town. 

Council Member Dennis stated that it was a great day that started at Graham Hospital this morning, which is a great facility that's going to be a great addition to the City. He noted that they are building a couple more buildings on each side of their current facility on Seminary Street, as well as one in Ward Three. He also congratulated Council Member Acerra on her son’s wedding. 

Council Member Miller also stated that the Graham Medical Center is a beautiful facility and what they are offering and planning to offer is phenomenal. As noted, they are under construction on the south side of town and supposedly the ribbon cutting is going to be sometime in October. He thanked Graham Medical Center and added that the south side of town has needed this for some time and has appreciated the meetings with them over the last several months. A lot of people in his Ward are excited to have the facility and are looking forward to continuing to bring things to the south side of town and liven it up.

Council Member White stated that he was really impressed that the golf course is moving forward and that he has sponsored a couple of holes out there before, and feels everyone is doing a great job out there. He stated that Saturday was the NAACP annual cookout, which he has participated in for 15 years, and thanked those who have helped him cook as well. He announced that on September the 28th at Cedar Creek, the NAACP will host their Annual Galesburg Freedom Fund Gala with keynote speaker, Jane Elliott. Money raised from the fundraiser goes back to the community and last year they were able to give out $9,000 in scholarships for youth in Galesburg, some of them were members of the Men of Distinction and Women of Character. 

Council Member White stated that he is so glad that the Landmark Commission is looking to help the Community Temple Church of God and Pastor Davis. It’s a great landmark and he used to visit there as a young child and young man, and he knows they plan to improve it and do a lot of work to it. He also noted that he has confidence in the City Manager regarding the Seminary Simmons Street and Parking Lot H reconstruction project and he hopes the City can get local bidders for the project to keep the revenue in our City and use local laborers. He was also glad to see that Yemm and Breslins received some contracts from the City, and that it’s always great when local companies get work from the City. In closing, he stated that we are looking forward to seeing the new voting machines and thanked Mr. Stout for attending the Election Commission meetings and being a hard worker for them. 

Mayor Schwartzman wanted to reiterate and echo some of the comments about Graham Health Systems and the ribbon cutting that was held this morning on the building that is now operational as of today. He added that it is quite an amazing project and thanked everyone who was involved in it and added that it took a lot of work to get done in such a short time, and that it is a real important investment in our City. As Mr. Dennis noted, there are additional elements coming and that the project alone at the Seminary Street site is a $10 million project. 

The Mayor read some information from the Police Chief Idle regarding the 2024 National Night Out, which will be held tomorrow night in Standish Park, 5-7 p.m. This event allows us to bring police and neighbors together in a positive setting and help create a true sense of community beyond the police and fire representatives that will be there tomorrow night. It will include a canine demo, and residents can expect to interact with representatives from Bridgeway, United Way, OSF, Head Start, Regional Office of Education, among many other community service organizations and agencies. He also announced that the City Council will be meeting for a work session this Wednesday, 9:00 am at the Galesburg Library for a strategic planning session that's been in the works for many months. The Council will be deliberating on what the future direction is for the City and he encouraged people to share their thoughts via email, attend the meeting, and also then respond to the final documents that come out of that meeting. 

On a lighter note, the Mayor stated that he found out yesterday that the world's fastest man went to his high school, Noah Lyles, of which he is very proud. He also announced that his daughter, Camellia Schwartzman, was the recipient of the 2024 Barry Goldwater Scholarship, which is a very prestigious honor for her. She is currently in Japan at the moment, but he and her mother are very proud of her.

Mayor Schwartzman reported that the NAACP cookout was very well attended despite it being 90 plus degrees outside, and some of the volunteers were there from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. There were many volunteers from several agencies within the community, and he noted that to him that shows the strength of our community. On a serious note, he stated that it is hot and most people probably watching this are likely okay, but maybe their neighbor is not. He encouraged people to check on their neighbors, offer them some water, ice, or maybe just some comfort and friendship. 

There being no further business, Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:55 p.m. 

Roll Call #18: 

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7. Nays: None 

Absent: NoneChairman declared the motion carried. 

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