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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07202020 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2020 Page 1 of 5 Galesburg City Regular Meeting City Council Chambers 55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois July 20, 2020 5:30 p.m. Presentation: Baker Tilly Financial Presentation via Telephone Called to order by Mayor John Pritchard at 5:40 p.m. Roll Call #1: Physically Present: Mayor John T. Pritchard, Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis, Lindsay Hillery, Corine Andersen, Wayne Allen, and Larry Cox, 7. Present via Telephone: Council Member Peter Schwartzman, 1. Also Present: City Manager Todd Thompson, City Attorney Bradley Nolden, and Deputy City Clerk Ericka Welch. Mayor Pritchard declared a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Semenya McCord gave the invocation. Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve the minutes of the City Council meetings from July 6, 2020. Roll Call #2: Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays: None Abstain: Council Member Andersen, 1. Absent: None Chairman declared motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA #2020-14 All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. 20-8013 Approve bills in the amount of $1,107,704.16 and advance checks in the amount of $504,322.92. Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Cox, to approve Consent Agenda 2020-14. Roll Call #3: Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Co x, 7. Nays: None July 20, 2020 Page 2 of 5 Absent: None Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote. PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 20-1015 Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve Special Ordinance 20-597 on final reading vacating the east half (30 feet) of excess right -of-way on Illinois Avenue from Knox Street to Berrien Street. Roll Call #4: Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays: None Absent: None Chairman declared motion carried. 20-1016 Council Member Hix moved, seconded by Council Member Hillery, to approve Ordinance 20- 3616 on final reading amending Chapter 93 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to remove outdated references to the 2006 International Fire Code as well as to incorporate the Pyrotechnic Use Act which prohibits the possession or use of illegal fireworks. Roll Call #5: Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays: None Absent: None Chairman declared motion carried. 20-2018 Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve Resolution 20-16 to accept four lots of land from George Voeller for a future park development. The properties are between Avenue A and Avenue B off First Street. Roll Call #6: Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays: None Absent: None Chairman declared motion carried. Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to request that the approval of External Agency Funding requests for Fiscal Year 2020, be placed back on the August 3, 2020 agenda for further discussion. Council Member Hix requested that the United Way funding request be a separate agenda item for approval. Roll Call #7: Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays: None Absent: None July 20, 2020 Page 3 of 5 Chairman declared motion carried. BIDS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC COMMENT Reverend Jowers asked the City Council to consider extending the public comment time limit from three minutes to five minutes to allow citizens more time to discuss City business. Jowers recognized the recent loss of civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis and addressed the importance of the upcoming Novemeber election. Brittany Grimes expressed her appreciation to the City Council for approving the donation of lots of land for a future park development. She also suggested that the City consider using part of the area for a community garden. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT City Manager Thompson announced that Lakeside Waterpark will remain closed for the remainder of the summer, but there are other facilities that are open such as Lake Storey Beach, Kiwanis Splash pad, and the wading pools in the parks. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.) 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 20-9015 Trustee Andersen moved, seconded by Trustee Hillery, to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same. Fund Title Amount Town Fund $5,034.47 General Assistance Fund $3,397.92 IMRF Fund $2,596.43 Social Security/Medicare Fund $1,424.12 Liability Fund Audit Fund Total $12,452.94 Roll Call #8: Ayes: Trustees Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. July 20, 2020 Page 4 of 5 Nays: None Absent: None Chairman declared motion carried. Trustee Allen moved, seconded by Trustee Cox, to resume sitting as the City Council. The motion carried by voice vote. CLOSING COMMENTS Council Member Cox stated that he doesn’t feel that the citizens tax money should be used to fund other organizations. He challenged households to give a donation to the organizations that are asking the City for funding. Cox understands that there are many households that cannot afford give to various events or agencies, which is all the more reason for people who can afford to give do so. Cox stated that the people of Galesburg are very giving and believes they will find a way to help fund the local agencies making requests. Council Member Allen asked if there were laws in place that prohibits car s from blocking sidewalks. Police Chief Idle stated that blocking sidewalks is an ordinance violation and if you see a vehicle blocking a sidewalk to contact the Public Safety Building. Council Member Schwartzman gave recognition to national leaders that were lost this past week one of them being John Lewis who Schwartzman had the pleasure of meeting years ago. He urged everyone to remember them and the contributions that they have made to our country. Schwartzman added that the community also lost two former Knox College professors, Eugene Perry and Robert Hellenga. He urged citizens to reach out to those families with their condolences. Schwartzman reminded citizens that they need to continue to take the COVID-19 epidemic very seriously and he was glad to see the use of masks during the Council meeting. Council Member Hix stated that he had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Lewis while working in Georgia and would like to extend his condolences to his family and staff. Mayor Pritchard reminded citizens of basic practices to protect themselves from COVID -19. Practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and if you don’t feel well to stay home. There being no further business, Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Hix, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:11 p.m. Roll Call #9: Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays: None Absent: None July 20, 2020 Page 5 of 5 Chairman declared motion carried. John Pritchard, Mayor Ericka Welch, Deputy City Clerk