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Home My WebLink About09202021City Council Meeting MinutesGalesburg City Council Regular Meeting City Council Chambers 55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois September 20, 2021 5:30 p.m. Called to order by Mayor Peter Schwartzman at 5:30 p.m. Roll Call #1:Present:Mayor Peter Schwartzman,Council Members Wayne Dennis,Kevin Wallace,Dwight White,Jaclyn Smith-Esters,Sarah Davis,and Larry Cox,7.Absent:Council member Bradley Hix,1.Also Present:City Manager Todd Thompson,City Attorney Bradley Nolden, and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz. Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Semenya McCord gave the invocation. Presentation: Jim Walters, Habitat for Humanity Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to approve the minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting from September 7, 2021. Roll Call #2: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA #2021-18 All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. 21-2025 Approve Resolution 21-22 authorizing City funds in the amount of $51,342.50 as a match for a Safe Routes to School grant application. 21-8017 Approve bills in the amount of $954,598.38 and advance checks in the amount of $208,473.80. Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve Consent Agenda 2021-18. Roll Call #3: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None September 20, 2021 Page 1 of 9 Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote. PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 21-1018 Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve Ordinance 21-3645 on final reading amending Chapter 113 of the Galesburg Municipal Code regarding outdoor operation and brewpubs. Roll Call #4: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 21-1019 Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member White,to approve Ordinance 21-3646 on final reading amending Chapter 113 of the Galesburg Municipal Code regarding the limitation on the number of Class A liquor licenses. Roll Call #5: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 21-1021 Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to approve Special Ordinance 21-605 on final reading accepting the donation of a parcel formerly known as 623 Tompkins Street owned by Harris & Harris Holdings, LLC. Roll Call #6: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 21-1022 Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member White,to amend the ordinance to reflect that each youth representative shall receive a monthly stipend of $30 if they attend a Youth Commission meeting during that month. Roll Call #7: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. September 20, 2021 Page 2 of 9 Council Member Wallace moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to amend the ordinance to reflect seven members of the Youth Commission will be students enrolled in school and range from 13 years old to 20 years old and four adult members. Roll Call #8: Ayes:Council Member Wallace, 1. Nays:Council Members Dennis, White, Smith-Esters, and Davis, 4. Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Abstain:Council Member Cox, 1. Chairman declared motion failed. Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve Ordinance 21-3647 as amended on final reading amending Section 33.066 of the Galesburg Municipal Code restructuring the Youth Commission. Roll Call #9: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 21-1023 Special Ordinance on first reading for the donation of City-owned property to the west of the current Rheinschmidts building located at 876 West Main Street to the Galesburg Community Foundation for the River Bend Food project.This ordinance would also remove this property, also known as Graham Park,from the list of City parks.Council Member Cox suggested that language be added prohibiting large amounts of chemicals or petroleum on the property since it is adjacent to the City ’s water wells.This would place a restriction on the property for any future uses. 21-1024 Special Ordinance on first reading authorizing the purchase of the following properties from the Knox County Trustee at $823 per property: 1.84 Blaine Avenue 2.471 North Cherry Street 3.1465 Willard Street 4.49 West North Street 5.772 Ella Street 6.89 Arnold Street 7.586 West South Street 8.383 Jefferson Street 9.440 West South Street 10.324 South Henderson Street 21-1025 Ordinance on first reading to amend Traffic Appendix AA of Chapter 78 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to designate a loading zone on the west side of Prairie Street in front of 140 South Prairie Street. September 20, 2021 Page 3 of 9 BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS 21-3019 Council Member Davis moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve the bid from Laverdiere Construction,Inc.,in the amount of $1,183,000.00 for construction of Water Supply Well #6 at the Oquawka water facility. Anticipated completion date is Spring of 2022. Roll Call #10: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT Greg Vickers,Sr.addressed the Council with an old issue concerning speeding on the Bickerdyke Bridge heading north.He added that he lives on the corner of Grove and Seminary Streets and sees cars speeding in upwards of 50 mph and passing other vehicles in the turn lane.He commends police officers for their traffic enforcement but that something else needs to be done in this residential area.He asked Council Members to consider this a priority and that possible a four-way stop needs to be added to that corner to slow traffic.Mr.Vickers also reported that there is a lot of crime activity in the downtown area,including prostitution,drug sales, and panhandling. He believes there needs to be more frequent policing. Jerry Ryberg addressed the Council regarding a few cities in the United States who have recently decriminalized the use of psychedelic mushrooms for such ailments as depression and anxiety. He provided information to City Clerk Bennewitz for distribution to the Council. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT A.Trick or Treat will be held on Sunday, October 31st, 5-8 p.m. B.Traffic Advisory Committee report for September. City Manager Thompson stated that speeding on North Seminary Street (Bickerdyke Bridge)is a priority for the City and increased traffic enforcement is being conducted at this location.Chief Idle and staff are also exploring other options as well. City Manager Thompson reported that the City would be hosting a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Wednesday,September 22nd,10 a.m.to noon in the basement of City Hall.The Pfizer and Moderna vaccine will be available and it is open to the public. The City Manager also announced that there will be a Work Session on Monday,September 27th,5:30 p.m.to discuss the 2022 budget and provide a presentation on the City ’s new website. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.) September 20, 2021 Page 4 of 9 Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to remove agenda item 21-4089 from the table. Roll Call #11: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 21-4089 Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to approve the quote from WCCTV,Inc.in the amount of $24,592.32 for a mobile camera trailer for the Police Department. Chief Idle noted that he and the Department take privacy rights of citizens very seriously and they would also be taken into consideration when deploying any investigative tool. Council Member Davis stated that the information provided proposed that the trailer and camera would be shared with others.The City Manager noted that this was a typo on the Council Letter and that it would not be shared at any time.Council Member White asked that rules and regulations for the use of the camera be made public. Council Member Wallace would like to see studies on how using a camera of this nature improves the crime rate.He is concerned that it will be used mainly in lower socially economic areas in town and would instead prefer areas to be patrolled by officers. Roll Call #12: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 4. Nays:Council Members Wallace and White, 2. Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 21-4090 Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve a facade grant for 119 South Cherry Street in an amount not to exceed 50%of the estimated project costs. Roll Call #13: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 21-4091 Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve beginning the demolition process for the following properties: 1.147 West Tompkins Street September 20, 2021 Page 5 of 9 2.481 East Third Street 3.258 West North Street 4.2051 and 2085 Grand Avenue 5.91 West Simmons Street 6.462 North Cherry Street 7.1212 Maple Avenue 8.179 Fulton Street Roll Call #14: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 21-4092 Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve the selection of Hanson Professional Services, Inc. to be the City ’s airport engineering consultant. Roll Call #15: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 21-4093 Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve a construction engineering services agreement for the Water Supply Well #6 with Klingner and Associates,P.C. in an amount of $62,000. Roll Call #16: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 21-4094 Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member White,to approve the 24-month standard rate agreement with AEP as the electricity supplier for City electric accounts at a rate of $0.05478/kWh. Discussion was held on green vs.standard and the savings for the City.The Mayor noted that the supplier agreement for the residents is a green version. Council Member Wallace left the meeting at 6:48 p.m. Council Member Wallace returned to the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Roll Call #17: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. September 20, 2021 Page 6 of 9 Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. 21-4095 Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve the 2021 Classification and Salary Schedule for Exempt,AFSCME,and temporary,seasonal and part time hourly employees. Roll Call #18: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,that the City Council sit as the Town Board. The motion carried by voice vote. TOWN BUSINESS 21-9020 Trustee Dennis moved,seconded by Trustee Cox,to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same. Fund Title Amount Town Fund $6,005.31 General Assistance Fund $3,152.37 IMRF Fund $2,384.66 Social Security/Medicare Fund $2,439.74 Liability Fund Audit Fund Total $11,542.34 Roll Call #19: Ayes:Trustees Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Trustee Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. Trustee Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Trustee Davis,to resume sitting as the City Council. The motion carried by voice vote. CLOSING COMMENTS Council Member Davis reiterated that the City will be offering a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Wednesday,September 22nd.She added that COVID cases are skyrocketing due to area schools and colleges resuming.She believes adults have an obligation to prevent illness and deaths in September 20, 2021 Page 7 of 9 our children and that everyone should be doing their part by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask. Council Member Cox stated that he is excited to see a soon-to-be active Youth Commission and encouraged anyone who would like to serve to contact the City Clerk or Mayor. Council Member White also encouraged area youth to consider participating in the newly formed Youth Commission.He also stated that he hates wearing a mask but knows it ’s necessary and encouraged everyone to get vaccinated. Council Member Smith-Esters thanked everyone for their work on the Youth Commission but added that the reorganization won’t happen overnight.She’s excited to hear the great ideas our youth provide.Smith-Esters also reminded everyone that it is getting darker sooner and to slow down and be aware of children. Mayor Schwartzman asked Knox County EMA Director and Fire Chief Hovind to give a brief update on local and state COVID numbers: ●Current Positivity Rate - 5.5% (should plateau soon) ●Emergency Room Visits for COVID-19-like illness - 7.5% (rate ws 10% last week) ●ICU Bed Availability - 16.9% (at warning level) ●16 new deaths in the State ●Vaccination rates: ○61% for 12+ ○63% for 28+ ○77% for 65+ Chief Hovind added that the Testing &Vaccine meetings are beginning again with the Health Department and hospitals in order to keep communications open.He also stated that both Knox College and Carl Sandburg College are doing their own testing,and CUSD #205 is providing Shield testing as well. He emphasized that those who are unvaccinated are getting much sicker. Mayor Schwartzman presented his Mayor ’s Award to Elvria Hunigan.She is married to Wendel and has four children.Mrs.Hunigan was with Galesburg Cottage Hospital for over 50 years and was nominated and awarded Nurse of the Year in 2006. He reported that he was invited to attend an open house at Innovative Production USA and tour their facility on West Sixth Street.He was impressed with their facility,which now occupies a once empty facility,and thanked them for the tour.He added that their current employment is at 40+ with the hopes of increasing in the future. Mayor Schwartzman thanked Leann Courson and others with West Central IL ROSC (Recovery Oriented System of Care) for the first Recovery Walk on September 19th. The Mayor also reiterated that the City ’s new website went live on Monday and is a great improvement.Anyone with feedback is encouraged to contact the City.He also thanked Jim Walters, Habitat for Humanity, for introducing himself to the Council. September 20, 2021 Page 8 of 9 There being no further business,Council Member Dennis,seconded by Council Member White, to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:08 p.m. Roll Call #20: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6. Nays:None Absent:Council Member Hix, 1. Chairman declared motion carried. Peter D. Schwartzman, Mayor Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk September 20, 2021 Page 9 of 9