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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10192020 City Council Meeting Minutes (1)5:25 p.m.Proclamations:Physical Therapy Month Pilot International Founders Week Galesburg City Council Regular Meeting City Council Chambers 55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois October 19, 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,Corine Andersen,Wayne Allen,and Larry Cox,5.Present via Telephone:Council Members Wayne Dennis and Peter Schwartzman,2.Absent:Council Member Lindsay Hillery,1.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. Bonnie Ericson gave the invocation. Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Andersen,to approve the minutes of the City Council meetings from September 28, 2020, and October 5, 2020. Roll Call #2: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA #2020-20 All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. 20-2024 Approve Resolution 20-21 authorizing City funds as a match for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant application for the Simmons Street Historic Brick Street Restoration project from Cherry Street to Seminary Street. 20-2025 Approve Resolution 20-22 committing to provide a match for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant for a shared use path along South Lake Storey Road.     October 19, 2020 Page 1 of 7      20-4078 Approve the donation of the City’s half interest in 37 old snowflake Christmans lights to the City of Abingdon. 20-4079 Approve the purchase of various geomelt products for the 2020-2021 winter season from SNI Solution as needed at the quoted prices. 20-4080 Approve annual updated Investment Policy. 20-40891 Approve updated Purchasing Policies and Procedures dated October 19, 2020. 20-80189 Approve bills in the amount of $760,871.13 and advance checks in the amount of $167,187.40. Council Member Schwartzman asked that consideration be given in the future to not have large items (over $500,000) on the Consent Agenda. Council Member Andersen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve Consent Agenda 2020-20. Roll Call #3: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote. PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 20-1024 Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Andersen,to approve Ordinance 20-3621 on final reading amending Appendix A and B in Chapter 95.18 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to clarify park hours. Roll Call #4: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 20-1026 Ordinance on first reading amending Section 113.043 (C)of the Galesburg Municipal Code increasing the number of Class C liquor licenses. BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS     October 19, 2020 Page 2 of 7      20-3032 Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve the bid from McClintock Trucking and Excavating in the amount of $74,850 to replace the valves for the Ranney Collector Well in Oquawka. Roll Call #5: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT Ray Pickrel addressed the Council and stated that there are many streets that need repaired before funding is spent on reconstructing Simmons Street as a brick street.He also reported that the railroad crossings on Whitesboro and Chambers Streets,north of Main Street,are in desperate need of repair. Robert Cain addressed the Council and is in favor of the reconstruction of Simmons Street and believes we’re losing many of our other historic brick streets.Also,he isn’t in favor of the City being in the real estate business.He noted that COVID has been tough on a lot of our citizens and that they are having a hard time paying bills and many are living in vacant buildings. Ashley Moore addressed the Council and believes we need more selfless people and that we need to be concerned about the future.She feels that the Lake Storey expansion would cost too much money,money that could be used for other agencies and needs,and that any houses built there would be too expensive for the average citizen.She believes that the money should be used to help the Rescue Mission, rebuild senior housing, and take care of people. Public Works Director Wayne Carl stated that the total cost for the proposed Simmons Street project,including engineering and construction,is estimated at $3,171,400,with the ITEP grant funded portion being up to $2,000,000 and the City’s share being $1,171,400.City Manager Thompson noted that while Simmons Street would be an expensive project,the majority of the City’s share of the funding would be through Rebuild Illinois Bond Funds and TIF IV funds. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.) 20-4082 Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve a facade grant in an amount not to exceed $80,000,or 50 percent of the estimated project costs or 50 percent of the actual final project costs, for 169 North Broad Street. Roll Call #6: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None     October 19, 2020 Page 3 of 7      Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 20-4083 Council Member Andersen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve revised rates from Werner Restoration to complete board-ups for the remainder of 2020. Roll Call #7: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 20-4084 Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Andersen,to approve a proposal from Hutchison Engineering,Inc.to provide construction inspection services for the Ranney Collector Well Valve Replacement Project in Oquawka at an estimated amount of $15,000. Roll Call #8: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 20-4085 Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Andersen,to approve a first amendment to the development agreement with MLKKM Properties, LLC. Roll Call #9: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 20-4086 Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Allen,to waive normal purchasing policies and approve the emergency rehabilitation needed to gravel pack well #1 in Oquawka in the amount of $32,495. Roll Call #10: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 20-4087 Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve a one-year debt collection agreement with Credit Collection Partners for Circuit Court ordinance violations. Costs would typically range between $175-$325 for each violation.     October 19, 2020 Page 4 of 7      Roll Call #11: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 20-4088 Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve a one-year debt collection agreement with Credit Collection Partners for non-Circuit Court ordinance violations. In exchange for their services, CCP will deduct 25 percent of their collections. Roll Call #12: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 20-4089 Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve a Development Agreement with the National Stearman Foundation,Inc.for the hanger project in an amount up to $150,000 for site engineering work and site construction costs,$30,000 for utility connections, and a grant of $50,000 for the construction of the hanger. Roll Call #13: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. 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 20-9025 Trustee Andersen moved,seconded by Trustee Cox,to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same. Fund Title Amount Town Fund $5,966.92 General Assistance Fund $3,393.92 IMRF Fund Social Security/Medicare Fund Liability Fund Audit Fund Total $9,360.84     October 19, 2020 Page 5 of 7      Roll Call #14: Ayes:Trustees Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Trustee Hillery, 1. 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 Schwartzman reminded citizens that the Council would be holding a Budget Work Session tomorrow,beginning at 8:30 a.m.It was noted that the session would not be streamed; however, Council Chambers will be open and available for viewing. Council Member Schwartzman also stated that he would like to encourage the City to reach out to the School District regarding Wi-Fi spots within the City so that students can have better access to the internet.He also reminded everyone to be vigilant as the second wave of COVID is likely here or will be coming soon --wear a mask,wash your hands,social distance,and stay safe. Council Member Allen thanked all the frontline workers in healthcare during this pandemic. Council Member Cox stated that several citizens have already stated they are opposed to the possible Lake Storey Expansion project but encouraged them to have an open mind.He added that right now,only the location (the lake)has been discussed and that everything else is conceptual.He would encourage everyone to participate in the public meetings,which will be the next step in studying and researching the project.He reminded the public too that when the three grade separations were built,20 homes and 17 businesses were relocated.If the same were to happen with this project,homeowners would receive just compensation.If approved, this could be the largest economic development project in the history of Galesburg. Mayor Pritchard also stated that the possible Lake Storey Expansion project has a long way to go with a lot of work to be accomplished.He also is excited that after many years,the Stearman Foundation will have a permanent home in Galesburg.The Mayor also agreed that COVID is still with us and that if the Governor were to roll back parts of the state,it would have a very harmful effect on our community and businesses.He reminded people to stay socially distanced when possible,wear a mask,wash their hands,and if sick,stay home and seek medical advice. There being no further business,Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Cox, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:11 p.m. Roll Call #15: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 6. Nays:None     October 19, 2020 Page 6 of 7      Absent:Council Member Hillery, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. ​ John Pritchard, Mayor ​ Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk     October 19, 2020 Page 7 of 7