HomeMy WebLinkAbout12202021City Council Meeting MinutesGalesburg City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois
December 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 Bradley Hix,Kevin Wallace,
Dwight White,Jaclyn Smith-Esters,Sarah Davis,and Larry Cox,7.Absent:Council Member
Wayne Dennis,1.Also Present:City Manager Todd Thompson,City Attorney Bradley Nolden,
and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.
Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present at 5:35 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A moment of silence was observed in lieu of an invocation.
Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve the minutes of
the City Council’s regular meeting from December 6, 2021.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Dennis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA #2021-24
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will
be enacted by one motion.
21-2040
Approve Resolution 21-37 in support of the State of Illinois Rebuild Downtowns and Main
Streets Capital Grant for proposed improvements in Parking Lot H (235 East Simmons Street)
and Simmons Street between Prairie Street and Kellogg Street.
21-2041
Approve Resolution 21-38 in support of the State of Illinois Rebuild Downtowns and Main
Streets Capital Grant for the proposed renovation of the second and third floors of 120 East
Main Street for residential use.
21-2042
Approve Resolution 21-39 in support of the State of Illinois Rebuild Downtowns and Main
Streets Capital Grant for the National Railroad Hall of Fame project.
December 20, 2021 Page 1 of 8
21-2043
Approve the following Resolutions abating property tax on General Obligation Bonds:
1.Approve Resolution 21-40 to abate property tax on General Obligation Refunding Bond,
Ordinance 2011-3332, Series 2011C (Abatement- $322,240)
2.Approve Resolution 21-41 to abate property tax on General Obligation Bond,Ordinance
2013-3418, Series 2013A (Abatement-$113,480)
3.Approve Resolution 21-42 to abate property tax on General Obligation Refunding Bond,
Ordinance 2015-3484, Series 2015 (Abatement-$626,513)
4.Approve Resolution 21-43 to abate property tax on General Obligation Bond,Ordinance
2016-3508, Series 2016 (Abatement- $639,763)
5.Approve Resolution 21-44 to abate property tax on General Obligation Bond,Ordinance
2017-3540, Series 2017 (Abatement- $712,281)
21-3025
Approve the bid from Hawkins,inc.in the amount of $1,648 per ton for liquid chlorine for
purchases in 2022.
21-3026
Approve the following vendors for the annual supply of fill and patch materials for the City of
Galesburg for the 2022 calendar year:
Fill and Patch Materials – Galesburg Builders Supply
Hot Mix Asphalt Binder and Surface Course – River City Supply
Coarse Aggregate CA-6 (Gravel or Crushed Stone) – Mill Creek Mining
3/8” Pea Gravel CA-16 (Picked Up) – Galena Road Gravel
Cold Patch and High Performance Patching Mixture – Tickle Asphalt Co
Mason Sand, Fill Sand, Trench Backfill Sand and Pea Gravel (Delivered) – Gunther Construction
21-4121
Approve the annual updated investment policy.
21-4122
Approve the annual updated financial policies.
21-5020
Receive annual Calendar for Fiscal Year 2022.
21-6004
Approve the following Commission appointments:
Youth Commission
Jennifer Foubert, term expires December 2022
Kwame Shabazz, term expires December 2022
Courtney Wallace, term expires December 2022
Mia Haneghan, Student, term expires December 2022
December 20, 2021 Page 2 of 8
Eciel Burns, Student, term expires December 2022
Chantiara Jackson, Student, term expires December 2022
Joy Basosa-Nzumba, Student, term expires December 2022
Precious Dortch, Student, term expires December 2022
Tree Commission
Daniel Leahy, term expires June 2022
Bill Sime, term expires June 2023
Daniel Thompson, term expires June 2022
Ann Pennington, term expires June 2024
Planning & Zoning Commission
Ardennia Leahy, term expires June 2023
Amy Tropp, term expires June 2024
Viola Jowers, term expires June 2025
21-8023
Approve bills in the amount of $1,862,828.10 and advance checks in the amount of
$1,399,871.78.
Council Member Cox inquired if any other developers expressed interest in a Rebuild
Downtowns and Main Streets Grant.City Manager Thompson stated that there may be one
more interested party but the expense for participating ($40,000)has been a hindrance.If
there is another application, another resolution of support will come before Council in January.
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve Consent
Agenda 2021-24.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Dennis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
21-1040
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to approve Special
Ordinance 21-609 on final reading to approve the 2021 levy for the Special Service Area #1
(Downtown Area).The total increase for SSA #1 is $43,275 or 32%when compared to the 2020
property tax extension.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Dennis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
December 20, 2021 Page 3 of 8
21-1041
Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to amend the
ordinance by removing any mention of “precinct” and only keeping “ward” phrasing.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes:Council Members Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 5.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Dennis, 1.
Abstain:Council Member Hix, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to approve Ordinance
21-3660 on final reading approving the proposed City Council Ward Redistricting map as
amended.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Dennis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
21-2044
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve Resolution
21-45 authorizing the acquisition of seven permanent easements for the South Street Storm
Sewer Replacement project.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Dennis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS
21-3027
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to approve the bid
from MoboTrex,Inc.in the amount of $63,377 for supplying traffic signal LED modules.It was
noted that this supply will be for all traffic signals throughout the City.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Dennis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Christine Bailey,Covenant Church,addressed the Council and informed them that the church is
participating in “31 Days of Kindness”in Galesburg and wanted to deliver gifts to the City
Council and thank them for their service.
December 20, 2021 Page 4 of 8
Linda Miller addressed the Council regarding the renovation of the Hawthorne Pool.She stated
that we have become a disposable society and that this asset needs to be maintained for
residents within the City and County.She added that the pool was made well and we shouldn’t
throw that away.
Dennis Twitty addressed the Council as a user of Hawthorne Pool for his rehab needs.He
believes the renovations are needed and that possibly a special meeting could be scheduled to
discuss the project. He also wondered if a referendum could be brought before the community.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
A.December 2021 Traffic Advisory Committee report received.Mayor Schwartzman noted
the following from the report:
a.Right turn on red from Broad Street onto Carl Sandburg Drive --committee
agreed that nothing warrants prohibiting right turns at this time.
b.Request for a bus shelter near Aldi’s --a shelter is available and will be placed by
the Street Division in the spring.
The City Manager thanked the Council,Department Directors,and all staff for their work over
this trying but productive year. He wished everyone happy holidays and Merry Christmas.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)
21-4123
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve the 2022
Classification and Salary Schedule for Fire,Police,AFSCME,Exempt,Non-Represented Hourly,
and Temporary Seasonal and Part-Time Hourly employees.
Roll Call #9:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Dennis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
21-4124
Council Member Wallace moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to approve an
agreement with Bruner,Cooper,and Zuck,Inc.in a not to exceed amount of $11,000 to provide
architectural and engineering services for a feasibility study to locate the National Railroad Hall
of Fame at 465 Mulberry Street.
Council Member Cox stated that he will support this agreement but believes the Hall of Fame
should build a new building,specifically south of the Amtrak Station.He hopes the information
from this study will provide helpful information.Council Member White agrees that he would
prefer a new building for the museum.
December 20, 2021 Page 5 of 8
City Manager Thompson stated that he believes the Hall of Fame would also like to build a new
building but that this could provide a second option and provide other information for
consideration and evaluation.It was also noted that a study of this property was approved
twelve years ago but that an actual study never happened.The study of this property will also
be helpful to the City for future marketing.
Roll Call #10:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Wallace, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 5.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Dennis, 1.
Abstain:Council Member White, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
21-4125
Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve a bid from Rock
Line Products,Inc.in the amount of $10,605 for the purchase of a trailer for a walk behind saw
for the Water Division.
Roll Call #11:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Dennis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to sit as the Town
Board. Approved by voice vote.
TOWN BUSINESS
21-9029
Trustee Davis moved,seconded by Trustee Cox,to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in
payment of same.
Fund Title Amount
Town Fund $11,357.46
General Assistance Fund $3,139.01
IMRF Fund
Social Security/Medicare Fund
Liability Fund
Audit Fund
Total $14,496.47
Roll Call #12:
Ayes:Trustees Hix, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Trustee Dennis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
December 20, 2021 Page 6 of 8
20-9030
Trustee White moved,seconded by Trustee Davis,to approve Resolution 21-04 to hire Phillips,
Salmi + Associates, LLC to audit the Township funds for fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.
Roll Call #13:
Ayes:Trustees Hix, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Trustee Dennis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Trustee Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Trustee Wallace,to resume as the City Council.
Approved by voice vote.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member Cox wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Council Member Hix stated that the challenge with the pool is that in order to raise the $2.3
million needed for the renovations,property taxes would need to be increased by 24 percent.
He thanked Finance Director Osborn and her staff for providing that information.He also
wished everyone happy holidays.
Council Member Wallace wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.He stated
that we are still in unprecedented times but is glad that people can spend time with their
families.He hopes everyone is careful and cautious when getting together over the holidays.
He added that he would like to revisit the Churchill study and look at the feasibility of building a
pool at the location.
Council Member White hopes everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and to
remember that “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
Council Member Smith-Esters wished everyone happy holidays and happy Kwanzaa,which
begins December 26th.She hopes in the new year everyone can be kind to one another and
wished everyone blessings and a healthy 2022.
Council Member Davis also wished everyone happy holidays and thanked our local businesses
and residents for the various seasonal events that are happening.She appreciates the
marketing and advertising of these events so that people are aware of the many things going on
in our community.She encouraged everyone to be safe during the holidays with COVID still
prevalent and for safe travels.
Mayor Schwartzman announced that his Mayoral Awards are being presented to the Galesburg
Fire and Police Departments for their great performance during very trying times while
exhibiting valor and bravery.He added that we are very fortunate to have such a dedicated
safety personnel.
December 20, 2021 Page 7 of 8
The Mayor stated that COVID is still here in our community and that the new strain is very
contagious.He hopes everyone stays abreast of the science and to be safe.He added that our
medical staff have had a long two years being over worked with the pandemic and that
everyone needs to do their part to end the transmission.
Regardless of spiritual or religious beliefs,the Mayor wished everyone happy gatherings over
the holidays.He noted that he attended an event sponsored by the Downtown Community
Partnership and NAACP celebrating Kwanzaa and thanked those who helped with the event and
explained the significance of the holiday to our residents.
He hopes everyone has a fabulous new year ahead and is thankful for the newly formed and
filled Youth Commission and thanked City staff and Council Members for their work with this
commission.
There being no further business,Council Member Smith-Esters,seconded by Council Member
Cox, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:19 p.m.
Roll Call #14:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Dennis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Peter D. Schwartzman, Mayor
Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk
December 20, 2021 Page 8 of 8