HomeMy WebLinkAbout040422 City Council Meeting Minutes5:25 p.m. Public Hearing: TIF 4 Amendment Plan
Proclamation: Sexual Violence Awareness Month
Galesburg City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois
April 4, 2022
5:30 p.m.
Called to order by Mayor Peter Schwartzman at 5:39 p.m.
Roll Call #1:Present:Mayor Peter Schwartzman,Council Members Bradley Hix,Wayne Dennis,
Kevin Wallace,Dwight White,Jaclyn Smith-Esters,Sarah Davis,and Larry Cox,8.Also Present:
City Manager Todd Thompson and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.
Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present at 5:39 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Bonnie Ericson gave the invocation.
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to approve the minutes
of the City Council’s regular meeting from March 21, 2022.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Presentation:Youth Commission Report presented by Joy Basosa-Nzumba and Precious Dortch,
Commission co-chairs.
CONSENT AGENDA #2022-07
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will
be enacted by one motion.
22-2015
Approve Resolutions 22-10 through 22-12 authorizing the submission of the Section 5311 and
Downstate Public Transit Operating Assistance Grant applications for the period July 1,2022,
through June 30,2023,and acceptance of Special Warranty 5333(b)and certificates and
assurances.
22-2016
Approve Resolution 22-13 reserving the City’s 2022 private activity bonding authority.
April 4, 2022 Page 1 of 9
22-2017
Approve Resolution 22-14 donating a surplus of unused clay dirt from the Transit Facility
property to the Galesburg Public Library.
22-2018
Approve Resolution 22-15 authorizing the transfer of $48,725 from the Tax Increment Financing
(TIF) District II fund to the TIF IV fund.
22-3009
Approve the bid from Mechanical Service of Galesburg,Inc.in the amount of $88,500 for the
demolition and cleanup of the following six properties:
1.848 South Seminary Street
2.1007 East South Street
3.1356 East Main Street
4.289 South Chambers Street
5.246 East Fifth Street
6.465 Mulberry Street (covered roof, east side only)
22-3010
Approve the bid submitted by Brandt Construction Company in the amount of $152,960 for
concrete pavement patching on Linwood Road and Carl Sandburg Drive.
22-3011
Approve the bid submitted by Gunther Construction Company in the amount of $39,780.95 for
sealcoating the Water Treatment Plant roadway in Oquawka.
22-4034
Approve a three-year agreement with Kone, Inc. to provide annual elevator maintenance.
22-4035
Approve a professional services agreement with PGAV Planners,LLC for the close out of TIF 2
and a portion of TIF 4.
22-8006
Approve bills in the amount of $556,551.98 and advance checks in the amount of $567,953.45.
Council Member Davis moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to approve Consent
Agenda 2022-07.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
April 4, 2022 Page 2 of 9
22-1002
Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to approve Ordinance
22-3667 on final reading amending Chapter 97 of the Galesburg Municipal Code to allow
plantings in the terrace portion of the public right away.
Public Works Director Wayne Carl stated that information on the ordinance and permit
application would be available in a few weeks and noted that there is no cost for the permit.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-1007
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to approve Special
Ordinance 22-610 on final reading for the disposal of unused/retired vehicles and miscellaneous
obsolete parts using PurpleWave Auctions.Information on the auction will be made available
on the City ’s website.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-1009
Special Ordinance on first reading authorizing the submission of the Section 5311 and
Downstate Public Transit Operating Assistance Grant applications for the period July 1,2022,
through June 30, 2023, to provide public transportation.
BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS
22-3012
Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve the bid
submitted by Brandt Construction Company in the amount of $33,845.53 for the 2022 seal
coating contract.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-3013
Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to approve a bid for the
storm sewer replacement on South Street.The results of the bid were approximately double
April 4, 2022 Page 3 of 9
the amount anticipated in original estimates and budgeted for the work.Staff is recommending
rejecting the bids as a result of these discussions and the overall cost.If rejected,it is proposed
to revise the scope of the project to reduce costs and allow part of the sewer to be
reconstructed this year.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes:None
Nays:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion failed.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dennis Twitty addressed the Council and thanked them for their discussion and decision on the
Hawthorne Pool.He is part of the Save Hawthorne Pool group and is proud of the faithful
people who participate and had the dream to keep it open by getting an action plan.In the
past,the group has paid for posters,flyers,and provided a petition to the City Council.He
appreciates the Council for listening and realizing that the pool is the City ’s “diamond in the
rough.”It is also his understanding that many citizens want to help with the renovations by
making a pledge towards the three-year plan.
Bonnie Ericson inquired about repairs on Grand Avenue.Director Carl stated that it is a state
route but that IDOT plans to do patching this year in order to make it driveable.
Ray Pickrel addressed the Council and stated that he doesn’t understand why the City repaired a
brick sidewalk on Locust and Brooks Street and replaced it with blacktop.
Anthony Law addressed the Council on behalf of many of his students and invited everyone to
attend the ground breaking of the new Library on Thursday.He would hope that the City could
possibly provide something for the youth in the old Library since it ’s in the heart of our
community and on the south side of town.Mayor Schwartzman thanked Mr.Law for his recent
Facebook postings on the history of women in Galesburg.
Dave Warf,Pine Street,addressed the Council regarding the loud music from cars in his
neighborhood at all times of the day and night.City Manager Thompson asked that he meet
specifically with Chief Idle regarding the issue.
Crystal,a Knox College student,addressed the Council and asked if the City could help with
additional lighting on the campus to help with safety,possibly even solar powered.She also
mentioned that additional street lights would be helpful as well.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)
22-4036
April 4, 2022 Page 4 of 9
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve a proposal
for engineering services agreement with Klingner &Associates,P.C.in the amount of $22,000
for the South Street Sewer project.
Director Carl reported that the new scope will replace a shorter section of the sewer this year
from south of South Street to the north right of way line of South Street.Reducing the project
to only this section will address the portions of the sewer most subject to collapse this year.
Overall,the revised plan will reduce costs by revising the alignment to give better access to the
contractor and avoid a conflict with a sanitary main.It is intended to budget next year to install
a cast-in-place liner inside the remaining existing sewer that is not included in the revised scope
this year.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-4037
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member White,to approve the
addition of a Maintenance Worker position in the meter shop at the Water Division to provide
water infrastructure locations ahead of the i3 Broadband project.A budget adjustment would
be required in an amount between $61,450 and $72,230 annually depending on health
insurance. All other benefits are included in this cost.
Roll Call #9:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-4038
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve the
proposal from ETC Institute in the amount of $20,800 to provide data analytics services in the
form of designing,administering,and analyzing community questionnaires.The one-year
contract will be paid from the Contingency Fund.
Roll Call #10:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-4039
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve the
donation and a seller concession of $15,000 for the residence at 939 South Academy Street.
Roll Call #11:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
April 4, 2022 Page 5 of 9
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-4040
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to approve the
variance appeal of Section 403.1.4.1 of the International Residential Code and City of Galesburg
ordinance 150.017 for the property located 1548 Florence Avenue.
Community Development Director Steve Gugliotta reported that the International Residential
Code (IRC)allows free standing accessory structures to have foundations without frost
protection up to 600 square feet.City ordinance Section 150.017 amends the IRC to allow a
floating slab for detached accessory buildings up to 1,000 square feet as long as the concrete is
placed as a continuous pour.The perimeter must also have an 8”by 8”concrete lug and any
new slab that is connected to an existing slab with ½inch reinforcement bars placed 18 inches
on center and run 6 inches into the existing and 18 inches into the new area to be poured.The
existing detached garage was constructed in 1989 and is 960 square feet on a floating slab.The
current homeowner constructed an addition to the rear of the existing garage that is 384 square
feet on a concrete slab on ground,which makes the overall total of the structure 1,344 square
feet.Since the structure is over 1,000 square feet,it requires the entire structure to have a frost
protected foundation around the perimeter at least 36 inches deep.
The owner,Stacy Stambaugh,stated that the structure is a covered patio and it wouldn’t be
feasible or practical to separate the two structures.Ms.Stambaugh also noted that they did not
obtain a building permit since they believed that since the work was being done by themselves
as homeowners they didn’t have to apply for one.Director Gugliotta noted that the structure
came in as a complaint to the Department.
Mayor Schwartzman inquired about safety concerns.Director Gugliotta noted that the
structure would likely move or float,and that the structures are large enough in size that there
could be separation of its connections.
Council Member Dennis stated that he is the insurance agent for this property and did take
photos.He believes that tearing up the structure would cost too much money and that the
family intended this to be a retirement home with no other owners in the future.
Roll Call #12:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Abstain:Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis to sit as the Town Board.
The motion carried.
April 4, 2022 Page 6 of 9
TOWN BUSINESS
22-9008
Trustee Cox moved,seconded by Trustee Smith-Esters,to approve Town bills and warrants be
drawn in payment of same.
Fund Title Amount
Town Fund $5,138.31
General Assistance Fund $5,156.17
IMRF Fund
Social Security/Medicare Fund
Liability Fund
Audit Fund
Total $10,294.48
Roll Call #13:
Ayes:Trustees Hix, Dennis, Wallace, Smith-Esters, White, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to resume as the City
Council. The motion carried.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member Cox stated that the City has been blessed with one of,if not the largest,public
building projects in our history that is being constructed right now.The Library project is in
Council Member Smith-Esters ward and a half block from Council Member White’s ward.He
added that this new facility will be equipped with a community room which will be available
after hours and equipped with a serving kitchen and audio visual equipment.It will also have a
children’s play area, early literacy center and tutoring space.
The Library will also have teen space with special sections for gaming,music listening,and
studying.The building will also feature a skills lab,a public living room,and a home office area
for individuals and businesses.Once the new Library is open to the public,the former Library
building,which is in Council Member White’s ward and has 14,000 square feet of floor space,
would be a great space for senior citizens and a youth center.He is looking forward to the
ground breaking on Thursday.
Council Member Hix stated that he is looking forward to the NCAA championship game tonight.
Council Member Dennis thanked Dennis Twitty,retired insurance agent,for attending the
meeting.
Council Member Wallace thanked everyone who attended the meeting tonight and made
comments.He also referenced an email he received from a constituent that thought our
April 4, 2022 Page 7 of 9
community does not have a problem with our youth and having things to do.He doesn’t agree
with this statement at all and was offended by the comment.He believes kids definitely need
things to do,mentored,and need to be reached early to stay out of trouble.He also stated that
he’s proud of the Youth Commission members and what they are accomplishing.
Council Member Wallace also asked about the demolition proceedings for 2085 Grand Avenue
since the owner is planning to sell the building.He feels the building is unsafe and questioned if
it could be declared dangerous.
Council Member White applauded the members of the Youth Commission for their bravery in
speaking in front of the City Council.He also reminded the public about the groundbreaking for
the new Library on Thursday at 4 p.m.He believes this is a great step forward for our
community.
Council Member White thanked Mr.Twitty and everyone on the Save Hawthorne Pool group for
all the work they’ve done on behalf of the community.He also asked all citizens to see what
they can do for the community,not just what the City can do for them.He is also glad that the
Council and City found a way to help the citizen who made a mistake with their variance
request.
Council Member Smith-Esters also expressed her excitement about the new Library
groundbreaking.She added that the shops at Main and Seminary Streets are moving forward
with getting that building ready for occupancy.She also appreciates everyone who attended
the meeting tonight.
Council Member Davis is excited to see the Library building come to fruition and to have been a
small part of it.She thanked everyone who attended the meeting and were brave enough to
address the City Council.Council Member Davis added that the proclamation read tonight was
on a difficult subject that many don’t talk about but that is very prevalent in society.
Council Member White added that he would be fighting hard to keep Mulberry Street open.
Mayor Schwartzman also offered an invite for the community to attend the groundbreaking for
the new Library and added that it will be an amazing addition to our community.He
encouraged the community to visit the Library,or their website,to find out about the
Community Foundation’s match grant challenge.For every $2 donated to the campaign,
Galesburg Community Foundation will donate an additional $1,up to $350,000,giving the
Galesburg Public Library Foundation an opportunity to raise a total of $1,050,000.
The Mayor also provided an 24-hour crisis hotline number (1-800-837-5555)on behalf of WIRC
and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.He also thanked Anthony Law again for posting
information on his Facebook account in celebration of Women’s History Month.
Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to adjourn into
Executive Session at 6:51 p.m.for the purpose of discussing the appointment,employment,
April 4, 2022 Page 8 of 9
compensation,discipline,performance,or dismissal of specific employees,and approval of the
minutes from the March 21, 2022, executive session meeting (5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) and (21).
Roll Call #14:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
During the Executive Session,Council Member Smith-Esters,seconded by Council Member
White, to adjourn the Executive Session at 7:31 p.m.
Roll Call #15:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
There being no further business,Council Member Wallace,seconded by Council Member
White, to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:31 p.m.
Roll Call #16:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Peter D. Schwartzman, Mayor
Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk
April 4, 2022 Page 9 of 9