Galesburg Reporter

City of Galesburg City Council met Aug. 19

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, and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.

Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Semenya McCord gave the invocation.

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member White, to approve the minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting from August 5, 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.

PUBLIC COMMENT

David Selkirk addressed the Council and reported that the Bunker Links Golf Professional, Bryan Luedtke, tied for first place in the Iowa PGA Pro-Select. He also noted that the Elks and the Abingdon American Legion held golf tournaments at Bunker Links recently. He thanked Don Miles, Parks & Recreation Department Director, as well as Matt Miles, Bryan Luedtke, and the other employees for their work on keeping the golf course in great shape. Mr. Selkirk stated that he met a woman from Myrtle Beach who complimented on what a great golf course Galesburg has to offer. He also reminded the community that Ashley Hankes, Jim & Kae Hankes’ daughter-in-law, will be performing on America's Got Talent this week and encouraged them to vote for her.

CONSENT AGENDA #2024-14

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

24-3036

Approve a five-year agreement with Webber Rental & Supply of Galesburg to provide portable restrooms.

24-5008

Receive the quarterly investment report.

24-8013

Approve bills in the amount of $1,157,994.89 and advance checks in the amount of $815,721.35.

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to approve Consent Agenda 2024-14.

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

24-1017

Ordinance on first reading amending Section 113.043(A) of Chapter 113 of the Galesburg Municipal Code regarding the limitation on the number of Class A-1 liquor licenses.

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Miller, to suspend the rules and move agenda item 24-1017 to final reading.

Roll Call #4:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, Acerra, and Cheesman, 5.

Nays: Council Member White and Davis, 2.

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Miller, to approve Ordinance 24-3737 on final reading amending Section 113.043(A) of Chapter 113 of the Galesburg Municipal Code regarding the limitation on the number of Class A-1 liquor licenses.

Roll Call #5:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

24-1018

Ordinances on first reading setting the salaries for the Mayor, Council Members, and City Clerk for terms beginning May 2025.

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to suspend the rules and move agenda item 24-1018 to final reading.

Roll Call #6:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, Acerra, and Davis, 5.

Nays: Council Members White and Cheesman, 2.

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

Mayor Schwartzman stated that the Mayor and Council salaries have remained the same for a long period of time and asked if there was thought of increasing either. City Manager Hanson stated that if Council would like staff to look into increases and compare other communities, he would be happy to proceed.

Council Member Cheesman stated that he would not be voting for a raise for Council Members but that he would like to give the public time to research and comment and would therefore like to keep the ordinance at two readings. Council Member White expressed that he felt similarly and both stated that they are supportive of the salary ordinance for the City Clerk.

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve Ordinances 24-3738 through 24-3740 on final reading approving the salaries for the Mayor, Council Members, and City Clerk for terms beginning May 2025.

Roll Call #7:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

24-2019

Council Member Acerra moved, seconded by Council Member White, to approve Resolution

24-17 authorizing the purchase of 314 South Henderson Street, 29 Public Square and 91 West Simmons Street.

City Manager Hanson explained that the Knox County Trustee purchases and sells properties on behalf of all taxing bodies. It would be the City’s hope that all these properties could see development since they are prime commercial locations.

Roll Call #8:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, Cheesman, and Mayor Schwartzman, 8.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS

24-3037

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve the bid from Lockwood Excavating and Construction in the amount of $137,448.35 for the demolition and cleanup-up of six properties.

Roll Call #9:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

24-3038

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to approve the bid from Yemm Chevrolet in the amount of $49,951 for the purchase of a 2025 RAM ProMaster 1500 cargo van to be utilized by the Recreation Division.

Roll Call #10:

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

City Manager Hanson announced and congratulated Police Chief Russ Idle on 30 years with the Galesburg Police Department.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (AGREEMENTS, APPROVALS, ETC.)

24-4053

Council Member White moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve the proposal submitted by The Stone River Group LLC to perform energy consultation services.

Roll Call #11:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

24-4054

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to approve an agreement with Direct Energy to supply energy for city-owned properties based on the most favorable pricing obtained from the energy consultant. The agreement is based on a 36-month term with an anticipated fixed rate of $0.07239/kWh resulting in an estimated savings of $61,077.52 over the utility default rate for the length of the agreement. The location utilizing solar power will be on an index rate to allow all the credits to be applied to the account.

Roll Call #12:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

24-4055

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to approve an agreement with Davis & Campbell LLC to provide legal services as the City Attorney.

Council Member Acerra expressed her support and added that her HR firm has worked with Davis & Campbell and that they are very professional and have extensive experience and knowledge. Council Member Cheesman and the Mayor both added that they also support this decision and are impressed with the outstanding services and attorneys that will be available to the City.

Roll Call #13:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

24-4056

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to approve an annual maintenance agreement with ProPhoenix Corporation in the amount of $99,173.86 for the continued support of the various modules of the proprietary records management software utilized by the Police Department.

Roll Call #14:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to sit as the Town Board.

The motion carried.

TOWN BUSINESS

24-9015

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

Fund Title Amount

Town Fund $19,591.00

General Assistance Fund $7,279.71

IMRF Fund

Social Security/Medicare Fund

Liability Fund

Audit Fund $19,000.00

Total $45,870.71

Roll Call #15:

Ayes: Trustees Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

24-9016

Ordinances on first reading setting the salaries for the Township Supervisor, Township Trustees, Township Assessor, and the Township Clerk for terms beginning May 2025. The Township Assessor’s salary would begin with the term starting January 1, 2026.

Trustee Miller moved, seconded by Trustee Dennis, to suspend the rules and move agenda item

24-9016 to final reading.

Roll Call #16:

Ayes: Trustees Hix, Dennis, Miller, and Acerra, 4.

Nays: Trustees White, Davis, and Cheesman, 3.

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

Trustee Cheesman stated that he feels that same rationale for not suspending the rules for these salary ordinances as he did for the City ordinances. He would like to give the public two weeks to review the information and ask questions.

Trustee Miller moved, seconded by Trustee Dennis, to approve Ordinances 24-01 through 24-04 on final reading setting the salaries for the Township Supervisor, Township Trustees, Township Assessor, and the Township Clerk for terms beginning May 2025. The Township Assessor’s salary would begin with the term starting January 1, 2026.

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 stated that she was unable to attend the River-2-River car show this past weekend, but that it was her understanding that it was very successful. She also wanted to wish her son, Luke, a happy 27th birthday.

Council Member Davis has enjoyed receiving pictures from this year’s school kick off and wishes everyone a great school year.

Council Member Cheesman stated that there was a lot of progress made at tonight’s meeting, although there is still a way to go. He commended City Manager Hanson for his leadership, experience, and knowledge on moving the City forward.

Council Member Hix welcomed Dan Alcorn and Christopher Jump to the City and also noted that he attended the River-2-River car show. He also thanked Police Officer Taylor for letting him participate in the K9 demonstration during the National Night Out.

Council Member Dennis congratulated Chief Idle on his 30-year anniversary with the Department.

Council Member Miller stated that he had a chance to attend the car show and was very impressed and envious since he has been working on his own antique car for three years. He also had a chance to visit Heritage Days and talk to several citizens about the community. He thanked many of the Department Directors and the City Manager for their leadership and congratulated Chief Idle on his 30-year milestone.

Council Member White reported that he was able to attend the MDA kickoff at the Central Fire Station and feels that it is a great project. He added that Galesburg has consistently been one of the top in the state of Illinois, only behind Chicago. He encouraged everyone to give. Council Member White welcomed Attorneys Alcorn and Jump and he also expressed that he was pleased to see that Yemm, a local company, was able to be the successful bidder for the van approved tonight. He reminded the public that the City will host a public input meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, August 20th, at 6:00 p.m. in the gymnasium at Learning Connections of Galesburg, 849 S. Henderson St., for citizens to provide input on the proposed improvements for the Cooke Property Park Development project. He also thanked staff for getting the tree limbs at Lancaster Park cleaned up and added that South Street and Tompkins Street look great after the recent road work and patching.

Mayor Schwartzman also stated that he attended the River-2-River car show and had the opportunity to pick the winning car for the show. He also reported that the City Council and Department Directors completed a strategic planning session. He is looking forward to receiving the final report in the next month or so and noted that the community will also have a chance to view the information. This information will be used to help the Council set priorities for the upcoming year.

The Mayor praised the citizen, who wishes to remain anonymous, for the beautiful flowers and plantings around the gazebo in Lincoln Park and noted that there is more to come. He also reiterated the information on the MDA Fill the Boot Kick Off and thanked TJ Scott, Joe Brignall, and other firefighters for their work on this important project, and noted that last year Galesburg raised over $33,000 and was second in the state.

There being no further business, Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:51 p.m.

Roll Call #18:

Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.

Nays: None

Absent: None

Chairman declared the motion carried.

https://cms7files.revize.com/galesburg/081924%20City%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf