The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About01182022City Council Meeting Minutes5:25 p.m.Blue Ribbon Awards for 1547 Florence Avenue presented by Mayor Schwartzman and Council Member Hix Galesburg City Council Regular Meeting City Council Chambers 55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois January 18, 2022 5:30 p.m. Called to order by Mayor Peter Schwartzman at 5:30 p.m. Roll Call #1:Physically Present:Mayor Peter Schwartzman,Council Members Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis,Dwight White,Sarah Davis,and Larry Cox,6.Absent:Council Members Kevin Wallace and Jaclyn Smith-Esters,2.Also Present:City Manager Todd Thompson,City Attorney Bradley Nolden, and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz. Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present at 5:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Reverend Andrew Jowers gave the invocation. Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve the minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting from January 3, 2021. Roll Call #2: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, White, Davis, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Wallace and Smith-Esters, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA #2022-02 All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. 22-2004 Approve MFT Resolution in the amount of $275,000 for annual sealcoating for the 2022 calendar year. 22-2005 Approve MFT Resolution in the amount of $700,000 for the annual 2022 intermittent resurfacing project. 22-4000 Approve the property tax assessment freeze program for historic, owner-occupied, residences. January 18, 2022 Page 1 of 7 22-4001 Approve an updated zoning map. 22-4002 Approve Bruner,Cooper &Zuck,Inc.,and Geotechnics to provide consultant engineering services for material testing for asphalt and concrete during the 2022 calendar year in an amount up to $20,000. 22-8001 Approve bills in the amount of $654,610.90 and advance checks in the amount of $407,793.21. Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve Consent Agenda 2022-02. Roll Call #3: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, White, Davis, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Wallace and Smith-Esters, 2. Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote. PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 22-1000 Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member White,to approve Ordinance 22-3661 on final reading authorizing the City of Galesburg to borrow $2,000,000 from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) through the Public Water Supply Loan Program. Roll Call #4: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, White, Davis, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Wallace and Smith-Esters, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS 22-3000 Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve waiving normal purchasing policies and using the State bid from Morrow Brothers Ford (Greenfield,IL)in the amount of $39,315 for the purchase of a ¾ ton 4x4 pickup truck for the Water Division. Council Members Hix and Dennis inquired if the City could wait a year on the purchases of these vehicles and buy them locally.Public Works Director Wayne Carl stated that Myron Miller,Fleet Superintendent,did check with local vendors but they were unsure if they would have any in stock until 2023.He noted that the State dealer ordered extra trucks,which will hopefully be in stock in June of this year.Several of the current vehicles that will be replaced have mechanical issues that could be costly if the City waited. Roll Call #5: January 18, 2022 Page 2 of 7 Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, White, Davis, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Wallace and Smith-Esters, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. Council Member Cox thanked Myron Miller for finding the vehicles and hopes that the City uses the affordable State bidding system in the future. 22-3001 Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve waiving normal purchasing policies and using the State bid from Morrow Brothers Ford (Greenfield,IL)in the amount of $36,895 for the purchase of a ¾ ton 4x4 pickup truck for the Street Division. Roll Call #6: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, White, Davis, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Wallace and Smith-Esters, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. 22-3002 Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve waiving normal purchasing policies and using the State bid from Morrow Brothers Ford (Greenfield,IL)in the amount of $26,490 for the purchase of two pickup trucks for the Parks Division. Roll Call #7: Ayes:Council Members Dennis, White, Davis, and Cox, 4. Nays:Council Member Hix, 1. Absent:Council Members Wallace and Smith-Esters, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT Rhonda Brady addressed the Council in support of keeping Hawthorne Pool open and likened our City to a puzzle --many pieces,diverse,and has an edge.She noted however that many people outside of the City use the pool.She believes it is a jewel of our community and that it should be renovated and repaired.It has been very valuable for thousands of kids who have taken swimming lessons,as well as use by Camp Kidz and aqua fit classes.She added that the YMCA would be cost prohibitive for many residents. Melanie Kochersperger addressed the Council also in support of keeping the pool.She noted she stayed in Galesburg after getting married and considers Galesburg a beautiful and loved city.Her children took swimming lessons at the pool and she was a lifeguard.She noted that several organizations use the pool and that the City needs to find ways to repair the issues.She feels that it would be a disservice to the community and its kids to close it. Pat Henrikson addressed the Council stating that she and her family have a long history of using the pool for lessons,parties,free swim events,etc.She has been participating in aqua Zumba for 45 years and feels very lucky to have the facility.She noted that there is $1.4 million January 18, 2022 Page 3 of 7 budgeted for a lazy river at Lakeside Pool and believes it should be moved to help with repairs at Hawthorne. Pam Davidson addressed the Council in support of the pool and stated that the City has an ordinance that requires a Parks &Recreation Board of Directors and that we are not following the code.She does not understand why the City is attempting to push the pool onto a private entity. Stephen Smith addressed the Council in support of the pool.He took swimming lessons at the pool,participated in the swim team and was a lifeguard.He believes Hawthorne has had a big impact on our community as well as being part of the City ’s history and identity. Molly Miller addressed the Council in support of the pool and as a member of the Save Hawthorne Pool for months.She feels that Hawthorne could be a great area to add more features such as a community center and larger sports complex that would keep Galesburg on the map.She also stated that she attended the Youth Commission meeting last week and hopes that they discuss what will bring people to Galesburg. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT City Manager Thompson stated that the City will soon offer a new option for citizens to engage and interact with the City,similar to the current PSR citizen engagement portal.The new portal will be on the city's website on Friday,January 21st.The City will also offer a mobile app,both powered by iWorQ.Citizens can utilize the citizen engagement portal or app to submit service requests quickly and conveniently.Requests can be submitted for a variety of questions or issues,such as reporting a pothole,needed maintenance at a park,or property maintenance violations such as trash or weeds at a neighboring property.A Youtube video will also be posted that shows how to use the site. Mayor Schwartzman noted that the City is looking into snow removal on sidewalks for the main arteries.The City Manager stated that staff is working on options,costs,and identifying the areas that would benefit.He noted that it could be challenging to do but that there would also be benefits for the community.Council Member White stated that he sees many individuals walking in Henderson Street.Council Member Hix also wanted to make sure that the sidewalks on the Bickerdyke Bridge are kept clean.Director Carl noted that the snow and ice on the two bridges and underpass are always cleared and salted the day after streets are plowed. Council Member White noted that there is a large bump at the intersection of Henderson Street and North Street. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.) Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to sit as the Town Board. Approved by voice vote. TOWN BUSINESS January 18, 2022 Page 4 of 7 22-9002 Trustee Davis moved,seconded by Trustee Dennis,to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same. Fund Title Amount Town Fund $5,890.69 General Assistance Fund $3,461.85 IMRF Fund Social Security/Medicare Fund Liability Fund Audit Fund Total $9,352.54 Roll Call #8: Ayes:Trustees Hix, Dennis, White, Davis, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Trustees Wallace and Smith-Esters, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. Trustee Cox moved,seconded by Trustee Davis,to resume as the City Council. Approved by voice vote. CLOSING COMMENTS Council Member Cox stated that his thoughts are with Council Members who are ill and on maternity leave.He also presented numbers from a usage report on recreation facilities, including Hawthorne pool,for last November 2021.He noted that our facilities are used about 1/10 of the YMCA,which is not good.The pool is used by approximately 7 to 8 people per day, which is a small usage.He stated that if those individuals had to pay for the pool to be maintained they would have to pay between $500 -$1,000 per day,which shows how much the City subsidizes the pool.Council Member Cox noted that he is not against keeping the pool open but that it needs a lot more usage as well as the rest of our recreation facilities. Council Member Hix thanked the Martin Luther King committee as well as Council Member White and Pam Davidson for the breakfast.He congratulated DeVone Eurales on an amazing keynote speech and for sharing the words of Dr. King. Council Member White thanked the community members who participated in the MLK breakfast and honored his memory.He thanked the other committee members as well as the school children who submitted essays on Dr.King.He also thanked DeVone Eurales for a great job. Council Member White also stated that there are many people who are still fighting Dr.King ’s fight,particularly voting rights.He believes all citizens of the United States should have the right to vote.He encouraged everyone to speak up for this fight and to reach out to the individuals who are standing in the way of this right. January 18, 2022 Page 5 of 7 Council Member Davis thanked everyone who spent time honoring Martin Luther King yesterday and for honoring his memory.She also noted that the Library is still working on their public fundraising campaign efforts and she hopes people will participate.She is looking forward to the new Library’s ability to host events, meetings and to expanded abilities. Mayor Schwartzman stated that he attended the newly formed Youth Commission meeting last week and that several members were present at the meeting tonight.Co-chairs of the committee were elected and he encouraged people to attend the monthly meetings,which are open to the public. The Mayor presented his Mayoral Award posthumously to Barry Wainer who passed away on December 31st.He stated that Mr.Wainer worked tirelessly for the model train and toy show at Carl Sandburg College for the annual Railroad Days festival.He also was dedicated to several organizations, including Knox Prairie Community Kitchen and KCCDD. The Mayor announced that there will be a City Council Work Session on Monday,January 31st, 5:30 p.m.,to discuss Hawthorne Pool and the Churchill site.He also noted that he will be hosting a community forum on community health care issues on Thursday,January 27th,6:30 - 8:30 p.m.at the Lake Storey Pavilion.The forum will cover three related topics:(a)the financial challenges faced by health workers and patients;(b)the mental health challenges currently faced by members of our community;and,(c)the disruption of services and health records.He added that the intention of this forum is to have local experts on hand to field and answer questions and for our community to have a productive conversation on these important matters. Mayor Schwartzman stated that the Orpheum Theatre will present the musical 1619:The Journey of a People on Saturday, February 5th, in honor of Black History Month. Lastly,the Mayor announced that he had the opportunity to tour a new business,The Vault at Reserve Artisan Ales.He noted that a lot of effort has been put into this project by the Benedict family and that it will be a place for family-friends events in the near future.The Vault plans to open this week.The Mayor thanked Ken Springer,KCAP,and the City for all their work and assistance with this project. There being no further business,Council Member Dennis,seconded by Council Member White, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:27 p.m. Roll Call #9: Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, White, Davis, and Cox, 5. Nays:None Absent:Council Members Wallace and Smith-Esters, 2. Chairman declared motion carried. Peter D. Schwartzman, Mayor January 18, 2022 Page 6 of 7 Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk January 18, 2022 Page 7 of 7