HomeMy WebLinkAbout08102020 Special City Council Meeting MinutesSpecial Galesburg City Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois
August 10, 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,Council Members Bradley Hix,Wayne
Dennis,Lindsay Hillery,Corine Andersen,Peter Schwartzman,Wayne Allen,and Larry Cox,8.
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.
City Manager Thompson addressed the Council and stated that there are a lot of options that
the Administration could review and recommend but that Council direction is needed.He is
interested in what proposals, if any, are of interest to Council Members.
Council Member Schwartzman thanked those in attendance and watching.He feels that this
meeting is focusing on water access and that another meeting may be needed,or a public
meeting involving Q&A with Council and staff.He noted that he would like to invite local
experts in the areas of medical,mental health and economics.Though none were in
attendance, some testimonies and information was sent to Council.
Discussion was held on the increase of delinquent accounts since February (306 accounts to 650
accounts).The City Manager noted that he suspects COVID was a factor but that the numbers
provided were from a certain point in time.He also noted that after delinquent notices are
mailed out it does motivate many to come in and pay.After the last Council meeting,
approximately 65 households were contacted.There are now 19 that are still without water
who were unable to be contacted.The City Manager also clarified that no fees were charged to
turn water back on.The delinquent balance with the 650 accounts was approximately
$225,000 and is now down to $47,000.
Council Member Cox stated that he understood the delinquent list changes daily but that
possibly January was high due to Christmas expenses.He further stated that he believes we all
care about these individuals but that someone has to pay for the water.He also noted that as it
stands,there is not enough in the Water Fund to provide for infrastructure improvements and
that increases in rates will likely be coming.Council Member Cox also made it clear that the
City would be applying for infrastructure grants and loans and encouraged citizens to seek
similar assistance for their water bills.
Council Member Cox inquired about a time extension from six weeks to eight weeks before
service is turned off.Staff could possibly make calls offering assistance options at the six week
August 10, 2020 Page 1 of 4
mark.He also suggested a similar program that Ameren has where people can “round up”on
their bills, or contribute a one-time donation, towards a fund that would provide assistance.
Council Member Andersen stated that she talked to some individuals who did not receive a
shutoff notification and that every effort should be made to seek out these people.
Finance Director Gloria Osborn and Public Works Director Wayne Carl explained the steps taken
for a delinquent account.The City sends out delinquent notices to customers to inform them of
the potential shutoff if payment is not received.This delinquent statement includes the total
amount due to avoid shutoff.Staff does not normally call delinquent customers,but many
times staff reaches out to customers who have made payment arrangements if they fail to
make a payment.The main limitation to calling delinquent customers would be staffing and
having valid phone numbers to reach customers.
Mayor Pritchard stated that water shutoffs have been happening for well over 50 years for
nonpayment.Typically once notified,people respond and pay their bill.He also noted that
these payments are used to operate the water system.
The City Manager reiterated that the City is not super aggressive,giving individuals two months
worth of water,or “service,”before late notices.He also suggested that the City could
formalize a payment plan for the future.
Council Member Hix stated that he received a letter from Naomi Law stating that she believes
the City Manager did the right thing but that this is a sensitive situation,especially with
children,during this pandemic.She does agree that some individuals have taken advantage of
the COVID situation but that some legitimately cannot pay.She also added in her letter that
she is willing to donate to help provide assistance.Council Member Hix stated that he and his
wife would also be willing to donate.
Council Member Schwartzman inquired about water rates and how much it costs the City to
provide water to our community.The City Manager stated that rates for customers inside the
city limits are the same.However,facility fees vary depending upon the meter size.The
approximate cost for operation for 2020 is $4.6 million.
Council Member Schwartzman also asked about “lifeline”services for those in need.Our city
could be the first in the U.S.to offer such a program.Council Member Cox stated that the City
could look at providing the first unit of water free,but that more information on water rates
and usage will be available after the water rate study is complete.
Council Member Allen stated that he believes the system is simple --use the services,pay the
bill.Notices were sent and people were given an option to contact the City.He also noted that
the majority of individuals pay their water bill,including businesses,and that we should not
undo something that has been in place for a long time.
August 10, 2020 Page 2 of 4
He also believes that the City should not cater to those who don’t pay their bill,or change
procedures to make it easier for individuals not to do so.He stated that he has heard from
many people,from all wards,and they agree that paying bills allows the world to keep moving
and he asked that Council use good judgement when making a decision on the shutoffs.
Council Member Hix restated that this is a sensitive subject matter but that there needs to be
accountability.Several notices were sent to people and there is a lot of information out about
seeking resources.
Council Member Schwartzman stated that the City does provide emergency water services but
that information and locations are not advertised.He also understands that looking at the
Water Fund in the future will cost millions of dollars,but what cost would be incurred to
provide “lifeline”water to those in need.He thanked Council,staff,etc.for their help on this
issue.
Dorian Riley addressed the Council and stated that she was shocked to learn what Galesburg
was doing during this pandemic.She stated that the City always finds funding for other things
and that she would be willing to make a contribution to help also.Riley stated she works in the
social services field and that all individuals,including children,are affected.She reminded the
Council to view the human aspect of this situation and that it needs to be in the forefront of
these discussions.
Carol Buebe read two statements from individuals not in attendance in favor of the reinstated
moratorium on shutoffs.Buebe stated that everyone wants people to pay their bills but that
the positive numbers in our County are not getting any better.She added that this is a once in
a lifetime pandemic and that this cannot be “business as usual.”She also advised Council to
talk to their constituents and get a proper sample size so that their statements are backed by
fact.
Derrin Lanier addressed the Council and stated that these are not normal times and that
sanitation needs and the stopping of the spread of the virus is a priority.She also stated that it
is in the City’s best interest to not become a hotspot for the virus in order to keep businesses
open. She believes the Council is being short sighted on this policy during the pandemic.
Kwame Shabazz addressed the Council and believes the Council is in urgent need of sensitivity
training and that they are out of touch with the poor,black,and latinos.He agrees that this
moratorium is something the City should do only now,during the pandemic,and not
indefinitely.He also perceives the fines are punitive and should be refunded.He has also been
delinquent before and received a door hanger and encouraged the City to start doing that
again.
Camellia Schwartzman addressed the Council as a high school student and encouraged the City
to contact the select few who aren’t able to pay and to respond to them.Just like for reasons
the House of Representatives was formed,we need to support the minorities in this town.She
stated that having people wash their hands and take care of themselves without water is
August 10, 2020 Page 3 of 4
impossible.She also noted that instead of calling these individuals customers,they are citizens
who this Council is representing.
Miss Schwartzman also stated the unemployment is at an all time high and that if the City could
bring a “lifeline”water system to the community it would bring people to Galesburg.She told
Council that she works at a grocery store on the weekends and has been seeing a rise in LINK
cards being used.She also reminded Council that the stimulus checks were only done one time
and most individuals likely needed to pay their rent first.If we make Galesburg better,they will
pay the community back by supporting businesses and paying their property taxes.
City Manager Thompson affirmed that he would be continuing the moratorium on water
shutoffs until he received direction from the Council.He explained that people need to apply
for help,and in the meantime,he would prepare a payment plan option and investigate a third
party to help with an assistance program.The Council was in consensus that this would be the
best place to start.
Discussion was held on refunding late and/or delinquent fees.The City Manager stated that in
order to remove those,each individual account would have to be manually adjusted,or
approximately 10,000 manual account adjustments.He will look into other options with
refunds,possibly adding the total amount into an assistance fund,which would indirectly help
those with water shutoff issues.Consensus of the Council was to move ahead with allowing the
City Manager to look at a possible option for refunds.The City Manager noted that he would
plan to present options to the Council within the next couple of weeks.
There being no further business,Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member
Hix, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:57 p.m.
Roll Call #2:
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
August 10, 2020 Page 4 of 4