HomeMy WebLinkAbout05182020 Council Meeting MinutesProclamation: Poppy Days
Galesburg City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois
May 18, 2020
5:30 p.m.
Called to order by Mayor John Pritchard at 5:30 p.m.
Roll Call #1:Physically Present:Mayor John T.Pritchard,Bradley Hix,Wayne Dennis,Corine
Andersen,and Larry Cox,5.Present Via Telephone:Council Members Lindsay Hillery,Peter
Schwartzman,and Wayne Allen,3.Also present was City Manager Todd Thompson and City
Clerk Kelli Bennewitz. Mayor Pritchard declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Semenya McCord gave the invocation.
Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve the minutes of
the City Council meeting from May 4, 2020.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA #2020-10
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will
be enacted by one motion.
20-2015
Approve Resolution 20-13 accepting a grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s
Single Family Rehabilitation Grant Program in the amount of $470,000.
20-2016
Approve Resolution 20-14 authorizing litigation proceedings against attorney Bruce Bonczyk.
20-3019
Approve the bid from Supreme Radio Communications in the amount of $41,826.70 for the
purchase of routers and virtual private networks for the new police squad cars.
20-3020
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Approve the bid from Birkey’s Farm Store in the amount of $104,500 for the purchase of a new
wheel loader to be utilized by the Street Division.
20-3021
Approve the bid from Supreme Radio Communications in the amount of $67,027.65 for the
purchase of ruggedized computers for the new police squad cars.
20-3022
Approve the bid from Laverdiere Construction in the amount of $77,173.98 for improvements
to the Bunker Links patio.
20-4038
Approve Budget Adjustment #1 for the budget year ending December 31, 2020.
20-4039
Approve an amendment to an intergovernmental agreement with the University of Illinois at
Chicago for a study in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity Help Eliminate Lead Program Pilot Grant modification.
20-5008
Receive the quarterly investment schedule as of March 31, 2020.
20-6002
Approve the appointment of Rob Benedict to the Overall Code Review Commission with a term
expiring June 2023.
20-8009
Approve bills in the amount of $636,751.46 and advance checks in the amount of $7,695.84.
Council Member Cox congratulated Administration on another housing rehab grant for the
community.
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve Consent
Agenda 2020-10.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
20-1012
Council Member Andersen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve Ordinance
20-3612 on final reading amending Appendix J of Chapter 76 of the Galesburg Municipal Code
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to reduce the speed limit on South Street between Kellogg Street and Academy Street to 25
mph.The estimated cost for the two radar feedback signs of $8,000 will be shared equally by
the City and Knox College.
Council Member Dennis stated that constituents have called him who are not in favor of the
signs.They also feel that Knox should pay for the improvements and ensure the students are
educated about crossing the street and paying attention.
Council Member Cox stated that if Knox were a new company coming to town,and employed
several hundred people,the City would likely entertain any requests they had.He noted that
this request would likely seem minimal if that were the case.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Hillery, Andersen, Allen, and Cox, 5.
Nays:Council Member Dennis, 1.
Absent:None
Abstain:Council Member Schwartzman, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
BIDS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT
City Clerk Bennewitz stated that Council Member Andersen received a call from a constituent
asking if elected officials,or City directors or employees,received priority testing for COVID-19.
Bennewitz stated that only first responders receive priority testing and that the City has had
some employees who fall into this category - dispatch employees, firefighters, etc.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
A.May Traffic Advisory Committee report received.
City Manager Thompson also commended staff on the housing grants that have been received
and believes that they have been impactful for our community.He believes that over the next
several years,the aesthetics and safety of these homes and neighborhoods will continue to
have a big effect on our community.
He also noted that Waste Management has resumed collection of oversized items at the curb
again with a purchase of a $19 sticker.Those can be purchased at the customer service desk at
both Hy-Vee grocery stores.
Council Member Cox asked about the protections given to the City’s frontline workers.The City
Manager stated that many offices are getting glass protection and extra effort has been made
to keep these areas clean.Employees will also have masks and gloves provided to them.He
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applauded the employees for continuing to provide a high level of service throughout the stay
at home order.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)
20-4036
Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Hix,to remove agenda item
20-4036 from the table.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Ken Springer,President of the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development,
addressed the Council in favor of the loan.He stated that Innovate Proteins Manufacturing is a
new company and will be revitalizing an under-utilized building.The business is focused on
converting sustainably grown agricultural inputs into high quality plant-based food ingredients.
The company plans on hiring at least 25 new positions within 24 months of operation
Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Hix,to approve a $250,000
Revolving Loan for Innovative Production USA for a period of five years,amortized over ten
years, at a 4.5 percent interest rate.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
20-4040
Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve a facade grant for
66 North Seminary Street in a not to exceed amount of $72,137.50,or 50 percent of the
estimated project costs, or 50 percent of the actual final project costs, whichever is less.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
20-4041
Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve an agreement
for professional services with Klingner and Associates,P.C.in the amount of $27,000 to conduct
a siting study for Gravel Pack Well #6 at the Oquawka well field.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
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Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,that the City Council sit as
the Town Board. The motion carried by voice vote.
TOWN BUSINESS
20-9010
Trustee Allen moved,seconded by Trustee Andersen,to approve Town bills and warrants be
drawn in payment of same.
Fund Title Amount
Town Fund $5,760.69
General Assistance Fund $7,818.36
IMRF Fund $1,520.00
Social Security/Medicare Fund $2,291.29
Liability Fund $6,013.00
Audit Fund
Total $23,403.34
Roll Call #9:
Ayes:Trustees Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Trustee Allen moved,seconded by Trustee Dennis,to resume sitting as the City Council.The
motion carried by voice vote.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member Cox stated that he is in support of joining the Heart of Illinoi Plan and believes
that businesses can decide for themselves whether or not to open.He believes this plan allows
for the reopening in a safe manner.
Council Member Allen echoed Council Member Cox’s comments.
Council Member Schwartzman stated that several recreational activities are limited and he
encouraged staff to think about innovative ways to provide recreation to the community.
Council Member Andersen stated that when businesses reopen it is her hope that they follow
proper safety procedures.
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Council Member Dennis commended staff on everything they’re doing for the pandemic,which
has led to zero deaths in Knox County. He also thanked everyone for wearing masks.
Council Member Hix stated that it’s time to reopen the community and that many businesses
are hurting. He is in full support of the Heart of Illinois Plan.
Mayor Pritchard stated that he believes the HOI Plan is well designed and medically sound.The
plan has been vetted by other regional leaders who have joined on,although there are some
questions that still need to be addressed.He noted that Iowa restaurants can be open with
fifty percent capacity and can have 100 percent capacity on May 28th as long as there is not a
spike in cases.
The Mayor added that he sent a letter to the Governor with three requests:
1.The 28-Day phasing window should be reduced to the 14-day window as outlined by
federal recommendations.A 28-day window is too long and unnecessarily punishes
communities like ours who maintain a low disease burden and may see increased cases
due to restrictions being lifted in neighboring states.
2.The regions in our state should be broken down into Emergency Medical Service
Regions. Failure to do so lumps us in with other communities.
3.Medical measurements used to determine proceeding with another phase should begin
with the March 20th date;the original date of your stay at home order.The May 1st
starting point for measurement is arbitrary and fails to recognize the sacrifices taken by
every resident in Galesburg to meet the necessary precautions of the original stay at
home order.
He stated that our County has met the metrics to reopen and it is his hope that Knox County
will consider joining the HOI Plan as well.He is seeing businesses and lives crushed by the
pandemic but we need to find a way to manage both. Many could reasonably reopen now.
He urged people to continue to be vigilant in staying six feet apart,washing their hands and
having a good plan to stop the spread of the virus.
There being no further business,Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member
Hix, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:05 p.m.
Roll Call #10:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Andersen, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
John Pritchard, Mayor
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Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk
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