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Home My WebLink About06152020 Council Meeting Minutes5:25 p.m.Pride Month Proclamation Galesburg City Council Regular Meeting City Council Chambers 55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois June 15, 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,Lindsay Hillery,Corine Andersen,Wayne Allen,and Larry Cox,6.Present via Telephone:Council Members Wayne Dennis and Peter Schwartzman,2.Also present was City Manager Todd Thompson and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz. Mayor Pritchard declared a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Reverend Dr. Pamela Marolla gave the invocation. Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting from June 1, 2020. Roll Call #2: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:None Abstain:Council Member Andersen, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA #2020-12 All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. 20-2046 Approve the renewal of the property insurance policy covering city-owned buildings,structures, and contents located throughout the city at a cost of $159,380 for the fiscal year July 1,2020, through July 1, 2021. 20-4047 Approve the final change order for the repair of the building located at 120 East Main Street in the amount of $15,912.82 from Hein Construction. 20-8011 Approve bills in the amount of $772,035.45 and advance checks in the amount of $393,500.60. June 15, 2020 Page 1 of 6 Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve Consent Agenda 2020-12. 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 20-1013 Council Member Andersen moved,seconded by Council Member Hix,to approve Ordinance 20-3613 on final reading amending Appendix U of Chapter 77 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to restrict parking on the east side of Academy Street from Water Street to 70 feet north. Roll Call #4: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared motion carried. 20-1014 Ordinance on first reading amending Section 113.043(A)of the Galesburg Municipal Code increasing the limitation on the number of Class A liquor licences to twenty-six. BIDS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 20-3023 Council Member Hillery moved,seconded by Council Member Hix,to approve the bid from Laverdiere Construction,Inc.in the amount of $870,894.50 for the reconstruction of Phillips Street from Main Street to North Street. Roll Call #5: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT Reverend Jowers addressed the Council stating that he has been talking to the NAACP leadership regarding a proclamation in honor of George Floyd.He expressed his concern over the proposed marijuana growing facility at 1855 East Knox Street,the former skate rink.He proposed a location that would offer skating, bowling, etc. for kids in the area. Laura Porter addressed the Council and stated that she agreed with Reverend Jowers that kids need something to do in town.She suggested some vacant property near the former Andrews June 15, 2020 Page 2 of 6 Lounge could be used.She also stated that the City is too hard on people’s homes and that she has thought about setting up a youth camp on Ella Street in some of the vacant properties. Robert Cain addressed the Council in opposition of renewing the contract with Prairieland Animal Welfare Center. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT A.Traffic Advisory Committee report for June received. B.Paint Recycling Event is scheduled for June 20, 2020, at Walmart. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.) 20-4048 Council Member Andersen moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve an emergency repair of a 54”brick storm sewer located south of West South Street by Laverdiere Construction Company.It is estimated that the repair will cost between $50,000 and $60,000. It was noted that the project should take 2-3 days to complete. Roll Call #6: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared motion carried. 20-4049 Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve the agreement renewal with Prairieland Animal Welfare Center for providing animal control and animal sheltering services for the City of Galesburg for the period of April 2020 through March 2021 for a total cost of $248,376. Council Member Cox stated that at the end of the contract extension next year he would recommend the City look at different,less expensive options for animal control and sheltering. Both Council Members Andersen and Hix stated that they agreed with Council Member Cox. Roll Call #7: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:Council Member Andersen, 1. Absent:None Chairman declared motion carried. Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,that the City Council sit as the Town Board. The motion carried by voice vote. TOWN BUSINESS June 15, 2020 Page 3 of 6 20-9012 Trustee Cox moved,seconded by Trustee Hillery,to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same. Fund Title Amount Town Fund $9,213.64 General Assistance Fund $7,088.46 IMRF Fund $2,596.43 Social Security/Medicare Fund $2,263.14 Liability Fund Audit Fund $7,500 Total $28,661.67 Roll Call #8: Ayes:Trustees Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared motion carried. 20-9013 Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Allen,to receive the Town of the City of Galesburg Annual Financial Report for the year ended December 31, 2019. 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 Hillery,to resume sitting as the City Council.The motion carried by voice vote. CLOSING COMMENTS Council Member Hix reminded citizens that setting off fireworks can be very traumatic for a military person with PTSD. He encouraged everyone to be considerate. Council Member Hillery also noted that she has been receiving phone calls about the fireworks and several of them have called the Police Department.Chief Idle stated that they have received calls and encouraged citizens to continue calling so they can investigate and try to locate the abusers. Council Member Andersen stated that she has also received many complaints on West South Street and is concerned that people have stockpiles with the 4th of July celebration canceled. June 15, 2020 Page 4 of 6 Council Member Schwartzman read prepared remarks and asked that they be entered into the minutes. We are definitely living during interesting and challenging times.More importantly,we are living during consequential times.How we respond now,to our many challenges,will likely impact generations to come.As an elected official,I feel it is critically important to state my thoughts on recent events and to share some ideas for how we can improve our community. First and foremost,we need to recognize that racism is still very active in our country.And while most of us now realize this,and some speak against it,we all need to do more.It is time to change the systems that allow the horrors of racism to persist.No more deaths like Mr.George Floyd's!Second,we have to recognize that we don't suffer the same from the negative impacts of racism.We have people in our country (and in our city/region)that have suffered mightily and we need to listen to them,hear their stories and learn from their lived experiences.Third, we cannot just watch events happen on TV and behave as if things are happening elsewhere and not here.We need to be proactive now.We need to recognize the urgency of coming together and working towards common solutions.If we wait till something horrible happens here, we will have failed. What can we do now?Here are just a few ideas,definitely not an exhaustive list.One,we can facilitate regular dialogue with community members (perhaps over Zoom)about issues important to them.Two,we can communicate and share the incredibly important contributions that people of many different races,classes and backgrounds have made to make our community as vital as it is.And,three,we can make sure that all City employees have updated training on matters of social justice and equality.All of these things,and others,do not have to be done in a vacuum.We have very qualified people in our community that can help make them happen.They will need our support,financial and structural,but we can do this.We need to do so. History demands it. Council Member Allen thanked the City Manager and Mayor for their tremendous job during the pandemic. Council Member Cox stated that he has been down Academy Street and is pleased with how it looks.He also commended the organizations who have planted boxes on the pedestrian mazes at the railroad crossing. Council Member Cox also stated that he is in favor of the Mayor receiving a salary increase for the next term.He also noted that Council could take a decrease in their salaries to offset the raise. Mayor Pritchard added that the flower boxes are a project of the Sunrise Rotary Club and he too is glad Academy Street is back open. The Mayor stated that we are living in extraordinary times and that all people should be treated equally.Not only are we still in the middle of a pandemic but the country is experiencing riots June 15, 2020 Page 5 of 6 and needless deaths.He noted that Chicago Mayor Lightfoot stated that there is a concern for “professional”protestors and looters.The Mayor reminded the public that we are one community and need to work together for the betterment of our city. He is happy to see that COVID-19 numbers have decreased in Knox County and that as a community we have done well in following guidelines to ensure safety and good health.He is still concerned about the economic cost of the shutdown and has received many calls regarding the struggles our businesses are having.He is hopeful for the ingenuity of many local people working on the situation and is proud of the community for coming together. There being no further business,Council Member Hillery moved,seconded by Council Member Hix, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:14 p.m. Roll Call #10: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared motion carried. John Pritchard, Mayor Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk June 15, 2020 Page 6 of 6