HomeMy WebLinkAbout04192021City Council Meeting Minutes5:25 p.m.Proclamation: Arbor Day
Galesburg City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois
April 19, 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,8.
Also Present:City Manager Todd Thompson,City Attorney Bradley Nolden,and City Clerk Kelli
Bennewitz.
Mayor Pritchard declared a quorum present.
Semenya McCord gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Allen,to approve the minutes of
the City Council’s regular meeting from April 5, 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 #2021-08
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will
be enacted by one motion.
21-3006
Approve the bid from Lockwood Excavating &Construction in the amount of $87,441.94 for
miscellaneous sidewalk replacement at various locations within the City.
21-3007
Approve the bid from Brandt Construction Company in the amount of $125,550 for concrete
patching work on Michigan Avenue between Knox Street north to Adams Street.
21-3008
Approve the bid from Lockwood Excavating and Construction in the amount of $82,499.54 for
the replacement of existing sidewalk and ADA curb ramps on Tompkins Street from Cedar Street
April 19, 2021 Page 1 of 8
to Broad Street as well as on the east side of the Public Safety Building from Broad Street to the
entrance to the building.
21-4036
Approve the legal services agreement with Baron &Budd P.C.and Cossich,Sumich,Parsiola &
Taylor,LLC regarding representation for the elevated PFAS levels in the wells located at the City’s
Oquawka Water Treatment Facility.
21-5008
Receive the 2020 Annual Fire Fighters Pension Fund Report.
21-5009
Receive the 2020 Annual Police Pension Fund Report.
21-6001
Approve the following appointments to various Boards and Commissions:
COMMISSION TERM EXPIRES
Planning & Zoning Commission
Rev. Leigh Nygard June 2023
Steve McKelvie June 2023
Electrical Licensing Board
Dale Sugden May 2024
William Rosecrans May 2024
Ken Swanson May 2024
Fire Pension Board
Kelli Bennewitz April 2024
Golf Advisory Board
Steve Cheesman June 2023
Jerry Reynolds June 2023
Community Relations Commission
Jessica Donaldson February 2024
Landmark Commission
Suzanne Klohn June 2023
Paul Stewart June 2023
Bob Miener June 2023
Library Board
Roger Williamson June 2023
April 19, 2021 Page 2 of 8
Craig Connolly June 2023
Overall Code Review Commission
Brian Benbow June 2023
Dale Sugden June 2023
Police Pension Board
Kelli Bennewitz May 2024
Public Transportation Advisory Commission
Josh Kilpatrick June 2023
Linda Miller June 2023
Tree Commission
Millie Allen June 2023
21-8007
Approve bills in the amount of $1,248,033.60 and advance checks in the amount of
$113,478.20.
Council Member Cox stated that the sidewalk project is paid for by the City Gas Tax which
means in essence that drivers are paying for the fix.
Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve Consent Agenda
2021-08.
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.
Presentation: YMCA Afterschool Program youth presentation on homelessness.
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
21-1005
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve Ordinance
21-3635 on final reading to amend Chapter 152 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to add Rage
Rooms as a Special Use in various Business and Industrial zoning districts.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen,Schwartzman, and Cox, 6.
Nays:Council Member Allen, 1.
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
April 19, 2021 Page 3 of 8
21-1006
Ordinance on first reading amending Section 112 of the Galesburg Municipal Code establishing
regulations for the permitting and regulating the use of shared electric scooters within the City.
21-1007
Ordinance on first reading amending Traffic Appendix R of Chapter 77 of the Galesburg
Municipal Code to restrict parking on Michigan Avenue north of Baird Avenue.
BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT
Candy Webb addressed the Council and relayed that a press release was recently issued
regarding the new South Side Task Force.The goal of the task force is to enhance the
neighborhoods on the south side of Galesburg and they would welcome any volunteers from
the Council or the community.
Ray Pickrel addressed the Council regarding the regulations on motorized scooters and what the
City will do about motor bikes and electric bikes.Chief Idle stated that those are not considered
“motor vehicles”due to their maximum speed and size.If these bikes were larger and were
able to go over 20 mph, they would be considered a motorized vehicle.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
A.April 2021 Traffic Advisory Committee Report
B.Galesburg Transit will be offering free rides all day on Earth Day,Thursday,April 22,
2021.
Mayor Pritchard reported that beginning Saturday,May 1st through Tuesday,May 4th,the
Unified Command partners will be holding four consecutive days of large scale vaccine clinics
with the hope of administering 1,000 vaccines a day in order to increase efforts to give the
community access to vaccine.
Individuals can visit the Knox County Health Department ’s website or Facebook page for more
information on registering. The clinic will be held at the Unified Command Center Vaccination
Site (the former Bergner ’s building).
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)
21-4037
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve a professional
services agreement with IMEG Corporation in the amount of $15,700 plus an estimated $500 in
reimbursables to design and prepare bid documents for ornamental street lighting on both sides
of Main Street between Cedar Street and Academy Street.
Roll Call #5:
April 19, 2021 Page 4 of 8
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
21-4038
Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve an amendment for
an additional contribution from the City to the Stearman Foundation hangar project for site
work by an amount not to exceed $25,000.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen,Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
21-4039
Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Andersen,to approve a new
36-month agreement for municipal aggregation of 100%green electricity supply with Homefield
Energy at $0.054990.
Council Member Cox inquired if there was a less expensive option that possibly wasn’t 100%
green. He believes the Council should be looking at the cheapest rate for all citizens.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen,Schwartzman, and Allen, 6.
Nays:Council Member Cox, 1.
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
21-4040
Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Hillery,to approve a memorandum
of understanding with Bird Rides,Inc.for terms and conditions upon which Bird can provide
shared electric scooter services with the City of Galesburg.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen,Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
21-4041
Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve an agreement
between the City and AFSCME Local 1173.The agreement is for a three-year term with salary
raises at 2 percent,2 percent,and 2.25 percent.It also provides for a new cost-sharing
mechanism for healthcare and provides for pay equity adjustments to the following positions:
April 19, 2021 Page 5 of 8
• Bus Driver – 9A ($15.05 – $19.26) to 10A ($15.81-$20.22)
• Public Safety Clerk – 9A ($15.05 – $19.26) to 11A ($16.60 – $21.24)
• Transit Technician – 16A ($21.17-$27.10) to 18A ($23.34 – $29.88)
• Transit Shop Foreman 18A ($23.34 – $29.88) to 19A ($24.51 – $31.37)
Council Member Cox thanked the union for agreeing to the contract and indicated he hoped the
other two unions contracts would soon be finalized as well.
Roll Call #9:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen,Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
21-4042
Council Member Hillery moved,seconded by Council Member Hix,to approve the 2021
Classification and Salary Schedule for personnel represented by AFSCME.
Roll Call #10:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen,Schwartzman, Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
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
21-9008
Trustee Allen moved,seconded by Trustee Dennis,to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn
in payment of same.
Fund Title Amount
Town Fund $5,163.91
General Assistance Fund $3,377.98
IMRF Fund $2,355.26
Social Security/Medicare Fund
Liability Fund
Audit Fund
Total $10,897,15
Roll Call #11:
Ayes:Trustees Hix, Dennis, Hillery, Andersen, Schwartzman,Allen, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
April 19, 2021 Page 6 of 8
Trustee Allen moved,seconded by Trustee Dennis,to resume sitting as the City Council.The
motion carried by voice vote.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member Andersen expressed her appreciation for what the City does and after her
twelve years of service on the Council she has come to know what an amazing staff the City has
and the immeasurable hours they all put in.She stated that she appreciates all the changes and
updates to our parks,thanked Chief Hovind for his amazing work on the COVID pandemic after
just coming on board,and thanked the City Manager and City Clerk’s offices as well.She gave a
special thank you to Wayne Allen,who is the “grandfather ”of the Council and has served
twenty years.She stated that he has made several contributions to the community such as the
Veteran’s Memorial,the Stearman Fly-In Foundation project,landscaping ordinances,and other
City business.
Council Member Schwartzman reiterated that a large-scale vaccine clinic will be taking place
soon and encouraged citizens to visit the Knox County Health Department ’s website.He added
that as a community, this is how we proceed to overcome the pandemic.
He also reported that April 22nd will be the 51st Earth Day and that he was also glad to see the
Arbor Day proclamation showing the value of trees.He hopes the community can plant more
trees in the near future.Council Member Schwartzman also stated that approving the
three-year agreement for 100%renewable energy is a very significant statement for our
community.He also thanked the Galesburg Tourism Bureau for their newly remodeled facility
and encouraged residents to visit.
He also thanked the YMCA youth group and Jo Hill,a Knox College student,for attending the
meeting and presenting the causes and solutions for homlessness in our community.He hoped
that possibly they could be invited back for a planning meeting.
Council Member Allen stated that the National Stearman Fly-In museum has been in the works
for over twenty years and the fruition shows what a lot of hard work and dedication can bring
to reality. He encouraged people to go and see the work being done.
Council Member Cox stated that he knew there would be time at the next meeting,but he
thanked Council Members Andersen and Allen, and Mayor Pritchard, for their service.
Council Member Hix thanked the YMCA for their presentation and added that he has served on
a YMCA board in Atlanta.He is glad to have the organization here and appreciates all that they
do.He also thanked the outgoing Council Members and Mayor Pritchard for all their work and
he hopes to see them often.
Council Member Dennis thanked Council Members Allen and Andersen,and Mayor Pritchard,
for their help over his last twelve years on the Council.
April 19, 2021 Page 7 of 8
Council Member Hillery thanked Candy Webb for attending the meeting and reporting on the
newly formed South Side Task Force.She is excited to help and volunteer.She also thanked all
the Council Members for their service.
Mayor Pritchard stated that he is glad to hear about the South Side project.He also thanked
Wayne Allen,who helped him when he arrived eight years ago and has become a good friend.
He has a huge library of City accomplishments and Council decisions.
Mayor Pritchard also thanked Council Member Andersen,who he has known for a long time
through Knox College.He also stated that the City has an excellent professional and dedicated
staff with Department Directors who make issues and projects much easier.He has appreciated
everyone's work and dedication.
There being no further business,Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member
Dennis, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:07 p.m.
Roll Call #12:
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
April 19, 2021 Page 8 of 8