HomeMy WebLinkAbout060622 City Council Meeting MinutesGalesburg City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois
June 6, 2022
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,Wayne Dennis,
Kevin Wallace,Dwight White,Jaclyn Smith-Esters,Sarah Davis,and Larry Cox,8.Also Present:
Interim City Manager Wayne Carl, City Attorney Brad Nolden, and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.
Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Monica Corsaro gave the invocation.
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to approve the
minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting from May 16, 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.
CONSENT AGENDA #2022-11
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will
be enacted by one motion.
22-2029
Approve Resolution 22-25 declaring the month of June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month.
22-2030
Approve MFT Resolution in the amount of $350,000 for the Monmouth Boulevard improvement
project.
22-2031
Approve Resolution 22-26 approving the temporary close of Main Street for the River 2 River
Cruise Night on Friday, August 19, 2022.
22-3021
Approve the bid from D&T Demolition LLC in the amount of $212,250 for the demolition and
clean-up of eleven properties.
June 6, 2022 Page 1 of 7
22-4053
Approve a subordination agreement with Innovative Proteins Manufacturing and JPMorgan
Chase Bank N.A.
22-4054
Approve a letter of understanding with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)for the
West Street reconstruction project.
22-4055
Approve membership with the Western Illinois Regional Council with an annual membership fee
of $17,077.80.
22-5009
Receive the Motor Fuel Tax Compliance Review Report for January 1,2021,and ending
December 31, 2021.
22-8010
Approve bills in the amount of $818,825.68 and advance checks in the amount of $886,302.73.
Council Member Davis moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to approve Consent
Agenda 2022-11.
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
22-1017
Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve Ordinance
22-3672 on final reading directing the sale of twenty-two vacant City-owned properties.
Community Development Director Steve Gugliotta explained that the Request for Bid document
will include two options for submitting a bid.The first option is a Development Plan bid where
the bidder submits detailed information on their plans for the property.This option gives the
City more control over the proposed use of the property.The second option is No Development
Plan bid,which all allows a person to purchase a property without submitting plans for future
redevelopment. There is a requirement of a minimum bid of $100 for all tracts.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
June 6, 2022 Page 2 of 7
22-1018
Ordinance on first reading amending Chapter 30 of the Galesburg Municipal Code amending the
time limit of a speaker from three minutes to five minutes.
22-1019
Ordinance on first reading amending Chapter 90 of the Galesburg Municipal Code regulating
Beekeeping.
22-2032
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve
Resolution 22-27 in support of the Housing Repair Assistance Program for Owner-Occupied
Single Family Residences.The program is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of
a grant (up to $4,500) to low-to-moderate income owner-occupied homes.
Council Member Cox inquired about advertising.Interim City Manager Carl stated that it would
be posted on the City ’s website as well as the various social media outlets.It will also be sent to
other non profit organizations.
Council Member Smith-Esters asked if the application could be streamlined and shortened.
Community Development Director Steve Gugliotta stated that the application itself is four pages
and that Judy Guenseth,Housing Coordinator,will be able to assist people in completing it if
needed and that if information is missing,she would be able to walk individuals through the
process so that a complete application is submitted.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS
22-3022
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member White,to approve the bid
submitted by Brandt Construction Co.in the amount of $1,443,400.79 for improvements on
Monmouth Boulevard from Henderson Street to Academy Street.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Christina King addressed the Council and thanked them for recognizing and approving the Pride
Month resolution.She thanked the Community Relations Commission,which she chairs,for
June 6, 2022 Page 3 of 7
their support and compassion.She also thanked Monica Corsaro for her comments and
statistics regarding children and suicide and believes this resolution is life-saving to many.
Deb Sugai addressed the Council and stated that she is president of the Knox County Historical
Society.She noted that they have adopted Peck Park and would like to request electricity be
installed for events. The Mayor noted that someone from the City would reach out to her.
Gorette Kupa addressed the Council and commented that Galesburg has given her and her
family many opportunities,especially coming from a different culture.She noted that her first
language is French and that she understands there is a language barrier with her community.
She hopes that in the future it is more well known in Galesburg where people can go to learn
English.She announced that there will be a celebration in honor of the Congolese
Independence Day July 2nd.She hopes this will be an opportunity to integrate with the
community and explain their culture better.
Kendall Bolen addressed the Council and asked if an ordinance could be brought to the Council
for regulating side-by-side vehicles.The Mayor thanked him for his interest and he believes it
could be added to the next agenda and that he would reach out to him tomorrow.
Robert Cain noted to the Council that there were several homeless individuals in the gazebo in
Standish Park and that for everyone’s safety it needs to be addressed.He also feels that
motorbikes and scooters need to be regulated.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)
22-4056
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve a Revolving
Loan in the amount of $250,000 for a period of five years to IPREH,LLC.This loan will be
amortized over ten years at 5.50% and the first five months of payment will be interest only.
Ken Springer,President of the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development,
introduced Matthew Dorothy and Jerry Zimmerman with IPREH,LLC,and noted that since 2020,
IPREH has been successful in getting its Galesburg operation up and running and is a true
economic development success story.Both Dorothy and Zimmerman thanked the City for their
partnership and support and are excited about growing their business in Galesburg.They
anticipate hiring an additional 25 employees over the next three years.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-4057
June 6, 2022 Page 4 of 7
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve a 2022
Classification and Salary Schedule that relates to the addition of a Transit Shop Foreman
position.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-4058
Council Member Davis moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to approve a
professional services agreement with Klingner and Associates in the amount of $28,500 for the
renovation of the locker rooms on the second level of the Public Safety Building.
Roll Call #9:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to sit as the Town
Board. The motion carried.
TOWN BUSINESS
22-9012
Trustee Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Trustee Cox,to approve Town bills and warrants be
drawn in payment of same.
Fund Title Amount
Town Fund $1,286.09
General Assistance Fund $5,514.35
IMRF Fund
Social Security/Medicare Fund $2,101.42
Liability Fund
Audit Fund $16,000
Total $24,901.86
Roll Call #10:
Ayes:Trustees Hix, Dennis, Wallace, Smith-Esters, White, Davis, and Cox, 7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared motion carried.
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to resume as the
City Council. The motion carried.
CLOSING COMMENTS
June 6, 2022 Page 5 of 7
Council Member Smith-Esters announced that the Galesburg on Track and Community
Development Department ’s Community Blue Ribbon Award winner is the home of Kevin and
Carol Lynn,1130 Maple Avenue.This award celebrates and recognizes Galesburg properties
that reflect a positive image for the neighborhood and town and citizens are urged to nominate
properties.
Council Member Davis stated that she is excited that the City approved the Pride Month
resolution which shows support to the public and allows them to see themselves reflected in
their leadership.She hopes members of the LGBTQI+community have the freedom to be who
they are and she hopes we continue to pursue equality in our society for all.
Council Member Cox was glad to see the approval tonight to take steps to ensure the PSB locker
room is improved.He inquired about the number of sworn officers vs.how many are currently
employed.Police Chief Idle stated that the Department budgeted for 51 sworn personnel but
currently has 43 officers.He noted that they possibly have three candidates they hope could
attend PTI in August.Another recruitment effort could take place in October if allowed by the
Fire & Police Commission; however, he feels that the pool of applicants will be low again.
Discussion was held on the statutory age limit for an officer and the pension benefits,which are
both set by state law.It was noted that the City is looking at a hiring incentive and discussing
options at this time.Chief Idle also noted that lateral transfers are advantageous since no
additional schooling is necessary.
Council Member Hix stated that he had the pleasure of meeting a former Galesburg resident,
Shelby Martin, while on vacation in Alaska.
Council Member Wallace thanked those in attendance at the meeting.He also stated that the
locker room situation at the PSB has always been an issue but that with more diversity in the
Department,the upgrades are necessary.He also feels that an incentive program would be
beneficial.
Council Member White stated that he was happy to see Ms.Kupa attended the meeting and is
looking forward to working with the Congolese community.He added that he loves Galesburg
and feels safe here but that his heart goes out to the country in light of all the news recently.
He is dismayed to see all the politicians attacking each other instead of working together.
Mayor Schwartzman stated that it has been a memorable evening with several approvals on the
agenda --the Pride Month Resolution,the Housing Repair Assistance Program,and the loan
agreement with IPREH, LLC, just to name a few.
He noted that since the last Council meeting,we have celebrated Memorial Day.Many have
given their lives serving our country.His two grandfathers served and survived and taught him a
lot through their courage and dedication.The Mayor also remembered a former student,Lexie
Kamerman,who lost her life while volunteering in Afghanistan.She was a dedicated and
June 6, 2022 Page 6 of 7
courageous student who loved water polo and noted that it ’s important to remember people
like her.
He reported that this past weekend he met with four filmmakers from New Zealand who are
making a documentary on the life of Chris Spears and his dog,Rossi,who served two tours in
Afghanistan.He noted that they hope to have the premier of the documentary here at the
Orpheum Theatre.
Council Member Cox moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to adjourn into
Executive Session at 6:32 p.m.for the purposes of discussing litigation and the approval of the
minutes from the April 26th and May 2nd,2022,executive session meetings (5 ILCS 120/2 (c)
(11) and (21).
Roll Call #11:
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 Cox,seconded by Council Member Davis,to
adjourn the Executive Session at 7:04 p.m.
Roll Call #12:
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 7:04 p.m.
Roll Call #13:
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
June 6, 2022 Page 7 of 7