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Home My WebLink About02222021 Rescheduled City Council Meeting MinutesGalesburg City Council Rescheduled Meeting City Council Chambers 55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois February 22, 2021 5:30 p.m. Called to order by Mayor John Pritchard at 5:30 p.m. Roll Call #1:Physically Present:Mayor John Pritchard,Council Members Bradley Hix,Wayne Dennis,Lindsay Hillery,Corine Andersen,Peter Schwartzman,Wayne Allen,and Larry Cox,7. 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 Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting from February 1, 2021. Roll Call #2: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA #2021-04 All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. 21-2004 Approve Resolution 21-04 accepting a $175,000 grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Strong Communities program. 21-4011 Approve the renewal of five existing flood insurance policies with Selective Insurance Company in the amount of $29,944 annually for the property in the Mississippi River flood plain in Oquawka. 21-4012 Approve a service contract between the City of Galesburg Transit and Knox College to provide students,faculty,and staff unlimited rides from March 2021 through February 2022.Estimated revenue would be $700. February 22, 2021 Page 1 of 6 21-4013 Approve a service contract between the City of Galesburg Transit and VNA Community Services to provide qualified seniors unlimited rides March 2021 through September 2021.Revenue would be $1,825 per month. 21-4014 Approve a letter to the Illinois Housing Development Authority regarding the Strong Communities Program Insurance verification requirement. 21-4015 Approve the revised Personnel Policy for exempt and non-represented employees. 21-4016 Approve the updated Distracted Driving Policy. 21-5003 Receive a rate schedule for towing and storage services from Galesburg Towing L.L.C. 21-6000 Approve the following appointments: Mark Lee, Planning & Zoning Commission, term expires June 2022. Cody Basham, Overall Code Review Commission, term expires June 2022. Jeremy Schultz, Overall Code Review Commission, term expires June 2024. 21-8003 Approve bills in the amount of $1,170,321.78 and advance checks in the amount of $837,269.54. Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Schwartzman,to approve Consent Agenda 2021-04, omitting agenda item 21-4015. 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. 21-4015 Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve the revised Personnel Policy for exempt and non-represented employees.Council Member Andersen requested that policy reflect a gender-free reference throughout the policy.It was noted that this would be done administratively and re-sent to the Council. Roll Call #4: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays:None February 22, 2021 Page 2 of 6 Absent:None Chairman declared motion carried. PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 21-1001 Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve Ordinance 21-3631 on final reading amending Section 152.018 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to allow a Special Use to be revoked under certain conditions and allow for a public hearing for revocation if necessary. Roll Call #5: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared motion carried. 21-1002 Council Member Andersen moved,seconded by Council Member Hix,to approve Ordinance 21-3632 on final reading amending Section 152.005 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to allow a Public Library in a B2 zoning district,allow a 75-foot building height,and provide parking provisions for a Public Library. Roll Call #6: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared motion carried. BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC COMMENT Kevin Malley addressed the Council and stated that of the homeowners that he has talked to, approximately 90 percent are opposed to the Lake Storey Expansion Project.He reiterated that he and his family have retained legal representation and that the City will never be able to purchase any of their farmland.He believes the City made a huge mistake by spending money without any community outreach,creating a Facebook page,and not letting the public send in comments. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT City Manager Thompson reported that the City has issued an Annual Report which provides an overview of the services provided by each City Department and key achievements realized during 2020. The Report can be found on the City’s website. February 22, 2021 Page 3 of 6 He also wanted to acknowledge and thank City employees,especially the Street Division,Water Division,Fire and Police,for their work and efforts during the recent cold weather to continue to provide services to the community amidst the snow, water main breaks, and fires. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.) 21-4017 Council Member Andersen moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve a professional service agreement with Dewberry Engineers Inc.in the amount of $50,000 to conduct Phase 2 and 3 of a Risk and Resilience Assessment study and Emergency Response Plan for the Water Division. Council Member Cox stated that he will be voting to approve this agreement but believes that since this is a federal mandate,they needed to provide advisory information so that the City could have prepared. Roll Call #7: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared motion carried. TOWN BUSINESS Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,that the City Council sit as the Town Board. The motion carried by voice vote. 21-9003 Trustee Dennis moved,seconded by Trustee Schwartzman,to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same. Roll Call #8: Ayes:Trustees Hix, Dennis, HIllery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared motion carried. February 22, 2021 Page 4 of 6 Fund Title Amount Town Fund $3,966.66 General Assistance Fund $2,746.79 IMRF Fund $2,355.26 Social Security/Medicare Fund $2,442.26 Liability Fund Audit Fund Total $11,510.97 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 thanked the City Manager and staff for their work on the Annual Report, as well as their recent work and assistance on improvements to the downtown area, neighborhoods, parks, and homes. Council Member Cox also stated that Council has heard a lot from members of the community on the Lake Storey Expansion Project and appreciates all the comments and questions.He noted that he is a conservative person,believes in small,limited government,and believes in private property rights.He appreciates all their comments about their lack of interest in selling their property.He stated that at this time the City is not interested in any property and that it is still unknown if the project is possible to construct,maintain,or expand.He added that we know from the study that financially it is possible,and physically potentially possible,but that there are many more unanswered questions.The potential benefits of this project are huge, similar to when the railroad came to town.The potential impacts to the wildlife and plant life are unknown at this time,or if there is even enough water in this watershed to keep the lake full of water. Council Member Cox further stated that although the Council has heard from many people,it has not come close to the majority of the community.The City,Council and School District could benefit so much from the additional revenue this project could provide and that we owe it to all of them to learn about the potential and possibility of the project.He stated that at this time we cannot proceed with community engagement without approving something,and that if community engagement is sought,it does not mean that the City will proceed any further with the project. Council Member Schwartzman reminded citizens that the snow is melting but that it will likely freeze and cause slick roads.He asked everyone to be mindful and careful.He also noted that Galesburg schools reopened for in-person learning today and that there is finally light at the end of the tunnel.He noted that the COVID cases in Illinois peaked at 15,000 cases per day and that we are now at 1,800 per day.He asked that people not lower their guard and reminded everyone that Knox County is only 5 percent vaccinated. Council Member Andersen thanked the Street Division for their work on the streets during the recent snow events. Council Member Hix stated that he echoed the comments of Council Member Cox and that he has talked to individuals on both sides of the possible expansion project.He believes that a study needs to be done in order to get the full picture of the project.He also thanked the Street crews for their work on the streets. February 22, 2021 Page 5 of 6 Mayor Pritchard stated that the message hasn’t changed since the beginning of the COVID pandemic in March 2020 -wash your hands,wear a mask,stay home if you are sick,and seek a physician if you are ill.He added that our county is suffering due to the lack of vaccine deliveries,but is thankful the pharmacies are able to assist.He has heard that herd immunity could be reached by April,but there’s still a possibility that we will be continuing to administer the vaccine in our area in the fall. The Mayor also congratulated the City and staff for their work last year,as evidenced in the Annual Report.He noted that our community has fared better than many other communities and that we have been able to maintain projects and services. There being no further business,Council Member Hillery moved,seconded by Council Member Andersen, to adjourn the rescheduled meeting at 5:58 p.m. Roll Call #9: 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 February 22, 2021 Page 6 of 6