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Home My WebLink About07062020 City Council Meeting MinutesGalesburg City Regular Meeting City Council Chambers 55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois July 6, 2020 5:30 p.m. Public Hearing: Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program Application Called to order by Mayor John Pritchard at 5:35 p.m. Roll Call #1:Physically Present:Mayor John T.Pritchard,Bradley Hix,Lindsay Hillery,Wayne Allen,and Larry Cox,5.Present via Telephone:Council Member Peter Schwartzman,1.Absent: Council Members Wayne Dennis and Corine Andersen,2.Also Present:City Manager Todd Thompson,City Attorney Bradley Nolden,and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz. Mayor Pritchard declared a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A moment of silence was observed in lieu of an invocation. Council Member Hillery moved,seconded by Council Member Hix,to approve the minutes of the City Council meetings from June 15 and June 29, 2020. Roll Call #2: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Hillery, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Dennis and Andersen, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA #2020-13 All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. 20-2017 Approve Resolution 20-15 authorizing the City to apply for a Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program grant on behalf of Formal Wear of Galesburg. 20-3024 Approve the bid from Mechanical Service,Inc.in the amount of $40,990 to replace the existing boiler in City Hall. 20-4051 Approve temporary Phase 4 rules for liquor license establishments. July 6, 2020 Page 1 of 6 20-6003 Approve the following commission appointments: Courtney M. Wallace, Community Relations Commission, term expires June 2023 Melissa S. Goodwin, Landmark Commission, term expires June 2022 20-8012 Approve bills in the amount of $1,208,613.43 and advance checks in the amount of $979,277.47. Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve Consent Agenda 2020-13. Roll Call #3: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Hillery, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Dennis and Andersen, 2. Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote. PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 20-1014 Council Member Hillery moved,seconded by Council Member Hix,to approve Ordinance 20-3614 on final 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. Roll Call #4: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Hillery, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Dennis and Andersen, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. 20-1015 Ordinance on first reading vacating the east half (30 feet)of excess right-of-way on Illinois Avenue from Knox Street to Berrien Street. 20-1016 Ordinance on first reading amending Chapter 93 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to remove outdated references to the 2006 International Fire Code as well as to incorporate the Pyrotechnic Use Act which prohibits the possession or use of illegal fireworks. The Council was in favor of the ordinance and the ability to prosecute violators.It was also suggested that next year public education be a focus in early June. BIDS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS July 6, 2020 Page 2 of 6 20-3025 Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve the bid from Jimax Corporation in the amount of $106,403.96 for the demolition of the following five properties: 1.373 North Chambers Street 2.388 Day Street 3.908 East Grove Street 4.49 West North Street 5.382 North Prairie Street Roll Call #5: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Hillery, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Dennis and Andersen, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT Ranee and John Collura addressed the Council and distributed pictures of the sidewalk and street near the underpass at Lincoln and North Streets.They are concerned that people are walking in the street to avoid the unmaintained sidewalk.She stated that most of the property is owned by the railroad.City Manager Thompson stated that Administration will follow up with the railroad or the City will take care of the issue if needed. Reverend Jowers addressed the Council and quoted many authors regarding changes in a community.He stated that he considers himself a leader and wants to set an example.He has been pleased with the Health Department and school district and their concern about public health. He encouraged everyone to wear a mask. Ashley Moore addressed the Council stating that she is part of a group of young people who are concerned that Galesburg isn’t what it used to be and is not thriving.She wants entertainment options brought back for kids,such as places to have parties.She added that Lakeside has a lot of potential but that it hasn’t changed since she was a kid. Dwight White addressed the Council and was dismayed to read that the City sold the Armory as he was hoping it would be used as a community center.He believes that the Pavilion is too expensive for many and that the City needs to return a community center to the public.He is angry with the Council and reminded them that they were elected to help the community and that they need to step up and work for the citizens. Darcy Thorph,Knox County Fair Board treasurer,addressed the Council asking to be considered for external agency funding even though the fair was canceled.She stated that the fairgrounds hosts many other events and that they have incurred expenses for a new website and sign, which will be used for marketing local events for the county.The Fair Board’s request for funding is $12,500. July 6, 2020 Page 3 of 6 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT City Manager Thompson reported that he,some department staff and the NAACP had a productive meeting to discuss issues within the community. Council Member Dennis joined the meeting via telephone at 5:59 p.m. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.) 20-4052 Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve external agency funding requests for fiscal year 2020 in the amount of $53,250. City Manager Thompson reported that 23 organizations requested funding with 15 based on events.Due to the pandemic,many events were canceled or partially cancelled.For those events that were canceled,no funding is being recommended.He also noted that any funding awarded will be distributed on a reimbursement basis and contingent upon the event or service being held. Council Member Allen stated that he is in favor of approving the recommendations as made by Administration especially with the City facing a significant deficit. Council Member Cox stated that all of the events and services provide value to our community but he does not feel that it is the role of the government to take money from some citizens and give it to another group of citizens.It is also not good for these organizations to become dependent on government funding and would hope that individuals and businesses would decide to support these worthwhile organizations. Cox noted that there are some events that the City has supported for decades,which he considers “legacy”events (Stearman Fly In,Fireworks,Railroad Days,Fishing Derby and the Easter Egg Hunt).These are the only events that he believes the City should be supporting financially.The City does support all events in the City by providing Fire and Police protection, picnic tables,assistance from the Street Division,etc.which will all continue.He also stated that there are many financial obligations that the City will not be able to meet this year and will therefore be voting no on this item. Roll Call #6: Ayes:Council Members Schwartzman and Allen, 2. Nays:Council Members Dennis, Hillery, and Cox, 3. Absent:Council Member Andersen, 1. Abstain:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion failed. 20-4053 July 6, 2020 Page 4 of 6 Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Allen,to approve an engineering services agreement with Klingner &Associates,P.C.for rehabilitation of an existing storm sewer from south of Monmouth Boulevard to north of South Street in the amount of $77,000. Roll Call #7: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Andersen, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,that the City Council sit as the Town Board. The motion carried by voice vote. TOWN BUSINESS 20-9014 Trustee Cox moved,seconded by Trustee Hillery,to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same. Fund Title Amount Town Fund $19,293.82 General Assistance Fund $7,515.02 IMRF Fund Social Security/Medicare Fund Liability Fund Audit Fund Total $26,808.84 Roll Call #8: Ayes:Trustees Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Andersen, 1. 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 thanked the Police Department,Fire Department,and other first responders for their support and efforts on the 4th of July. Council Member Allen thanked the Rotary Club for the flower plantings and cleanup at Lincoln Park. July 6, 2020 Page 5 of 6 Council Memberman Schwartzman stated that he was very surprised by the failed vote on the external agency funding.He believes that many of these organizations are struggling and that not passing the funding shows the City in a negative light.He believes that the notion of government not helping these agencies is absurd and does not agree with Council Member Cox. He hopes that the Council will reconsider. Council Member Dennis apologized for being late to the meeting. Mayor Pritchard also thanked the people who are planting,weeding,and picking up trash at Lake Storey.He added that volunteers are still being sought for the annual downtown cleanup this Saturday,9-11 a.m.,and will start behind the Foster Insurance Agency.Masks will be required. The Mayor also stated that he too was surprised by the vote on the external agency funding and believes the issue will be revisited. There being no further business,Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:13 p.m. Roll Call #9: 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 Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk July 6, 2020 Page 6 of 6