The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03012021City Council Meeting MinutesGalesburg City Council Regular Meeting City Council Chambers 55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois March 1, 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,Corine Andersen,Peter Schwartzman,Wayne Allen,and Larry Cox,6.Absent:Council Members Wayne Dennis and Lindsay Hillery,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. Dave Scholl gave the invocation. Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Allen,to approve the minutes of the City Council’s rescheduled meeting from February 22, 2021. Roll Call #2: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Dennis and Hillery, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA #2021-05 All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. 21-2005 Approve Resolution 21-05 reserving the City’s 2021 private activity bonding authority. 21-2006 Approve an MFT Resolution for the 2021 Intermittent Resurfacing project in the amount of $550,000. 21-302 Approve the bid submitted by Diamond Vogel in the amount of $25,080 for the purchase of white and yellow traffic paint for 2021. 21-4018 Approve the scrap sale of a retired 2004 Gillig heavy duty bus for the Transit Division. March 1, 2021 Page 1 of 5 21-4019 Approve waiving normal purchasing policies and approve the product pricing for 2021 as provided by Core &Main for various water meters and radio units in the amount of $85,600 to be purchased by the Water Division. 21-5004 Receive 2020 Fire & Police Annual Report 21-8004 Approve bills in the amount of $873,890.11 and advance checks in the amount of $912,337.81. Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve Consent Agenda 2021-05. Roll Call #3: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Dennis and Hillery, 2. Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote. PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 21-1003 Ordinance on first reading authoring the sale of the vacant lot formerly known as 890 Liberty Street. BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC COMMENT CITY MANAGER’S REPORT MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.) 21-4020 Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Allen,to approve an advance from the City to the Public Library in the amount of $550,000 for improvements to their HVAC system.The term of the advance will be ten years at an interest rate of 2 percent for the first 60 months and 2.5 percent for the remaining 60 months. Roll Call #4: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Dennis and Hillery, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. 21-4021 March 1, 2021 Page 2 of 5 Council Member Allen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve the quote from Supreme Radio for video and audio interview systems for special operations and patrol interview rooms in the amount of $12,504.64. Roll Call #5: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Dennis and Hillery, 2. 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. 21-9004 Trustee Andersen moved,seconded by Trustee Cox,to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same. Roll Call #6: Ayes:Trustees Hix, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Trustees Dennis and Hillery, 2. 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 Hix stated that with the warmer weather he is excited about the golf course opening soon. Council Member Andersen stated that the news about the Library receiving funding is very exciting and has been a long time coming (since 2013).She is happy that the project will move forward. March 1, 2021 Page 3 of 5 Fund Title Amount Town Fund $12,354.76 General Assistance Fund $5,049.41 IMRF Fund $2,355.26 Social Security/Medicare Fund $2,473.05 Liability Fund Audit Fund Total $22,232.48 Council Member Schwartzman also stated that the Library’s funding is a dream come true but that local fundraising will soon begin;a project worth everyone’s attention.He also believes that the location for the new Library will be vital to our downtown. Council Member Schwartzman reported that he has been in contact with several Council Members regarding the frustration our neighborhoods are experiencing over gunshots and feeling unsafe.He added that the Police Department has acknowledged these incidents over the last few weeks and that his comments are in no way meant to be disparaging to the department.As a City Council,he believes they need to make sure constituents and visitors feel safe in our community.He would recommend that a Work Session be held to discuss the issue. Council Member Allen thanked Ken Springer and the Knox County Area Partnership for the well written news article regarding economic development. Council Member Cox congratulated the Galesburg Public Library on the grant from the State for the new building,which will have a big benefit for our community.He noted that he heard the Library director on the radio talking about the building and all its positives,including the public meeting rooms. Mayor Pritchard stated that it’s a big day in our community when the State releases a $15.3 million grant and he is looking forward to helping the Library cut the ribbon for their new building in a couple of years.He also thanked KCAP for the article which exposed many untruths that have been in the media. The Mayor also stated that he believes our police department is working on the gunshot issue and responding to residents;however,it is likely information that cannot be made public at this time. He feels we have a well-led department and that making our city safe is a priority. Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Allen,to adjourn into Executive Session at 5:54 p.m.for the purpose of discussing litigation and approval of the minutes from the February 1, 2021, executive session meeting (5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) and (21). Roll Call #7: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Dennis and Hillery, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. During the Executive Session,Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Andersen, to adjourn the Executive Session at 6:08 p.m. Roll Call #8: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Dennis and Hillery, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. March 1, 2021 Page 4 of 5 There being no further business,Council Member Andersen moved,seconded by Council Member Cox, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:08 p.m. Roll Call #9: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Dennis and Hillery, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. March 1, 2021 Page 5 of 5