HomeMy WebLinkAbout112122 City Council Meeting Minutes5:20 p.m.Public Hearing:City of Galesburg FY 23 Budget
Town of the City of Galesburg FY 23 Budget
Galesburg City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois
November 21, 2022
5:30 p.m.
Called to order by Deputy Mayor Larry Cox at 5:30 p.m.
Roll Call #1:Present:Council Members Bradley Hix,Wayne Dennis,Kevin Wallace,Dwight
White,Jaclyn Smith-Esters,and Larry Cox,6.Absent:Mayor Peter Schwartzman and Council
Member Sarah Davis,2.Also Present:City Manager Gerald C.Smith,Interim City Attorney Paul
Mangieri, and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.
Deputy Mayor Cox declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Semenya McCord gave the invocation.
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to approve the minutes
of the City Council’s regular meeting from November 7, 2022.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Proclamation: Small Business Saturday
CONSENT AGENDA #2022-22
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will
be enacted by one motion.
22-2068
Approve a Supplemental Resolution for the 2022 Intermittent Resurfacing project for a total of
$706,293.35.
22-3041
Approve the bid from Hein Construction in the amount of $215,000,which includes a $25,000
contingency, for the women's locker room renovation at the Public Safety Building.
22-4110
November 21, 2022 Page 1 of 9
Approve the City’s annual Financial Policies.
22-4111
Approve the waiving of normal purchasing policies and approve the fiscal year 2023
Springbrook maintenance fees for the government-wide software utilized by the City.
22-5015
Receive the June 30, 2022, Investment Schedule.
22-6006
Approve the following appointments:
Reverend Andrew Jowers, Youth Commission, term expires December 2025.
Bradley Nolden, Fire Pension Fund Board, term expires April 2024.
22-8021
Approve bills in the amount of $1,124,017.97 and advance checks in the amount of
$658,708.45.
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to approve
Consent Agenda 2022-22.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote.
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
22-1033
Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to approve
Ordinance 22-3686 on final reading dissolving the Tax Increment Financing fund and
Redevelopment Project Area 2 (East Main Street TIF II).
Roll Call #4:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-1034
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve
Ordinance 22-3687 on final reading amending the Tax Increment Financing fund and
Redevelopment Project Area 4 (Central/East Main Street TIF IV) and deleting certain parcels.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
November 21, 2022 Page 2 of 9
Absent:Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-1035
Special Ordinance on first reading 2022 Property Tax Levy in the amount of $9,707,763,which is
an increase of zero percent compared to the 2021 tax levy extension.
22-1036
Ordinance on first reading granting a new nonexclusive franchise agreement with Comcast for a
ten year period.The City will continue to receive the 5 percent franchise fee revenue as in the
past.
Arthur Svymbersky,Government Affairs Manager for Comcast,introduced himself to the Council
and offered to answer any questions they may have.
22-2069
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to approve
Resolution 22-60 to install additional street lighting on South Lake Storey Road.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-2070
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member White,to approve
Resolution 22-61 authorizing the Mayor,City Clerk,Director of Finance and Information
Systems,and the City Manager to sign and submit a grant application for the amount of $23.85
million for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program for the
Galesburg Business Park through the Federal Railroad Administration which is part of the United
States Department of Transportation.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 5.
Nays:Council Member Wallace, 1.
Absent:Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-2071
Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve Resolution 22-62
authorizing a public hearing for citizen feedback on the location of a community center.
City Manager Smith stated that the public hearing would be used to gather information to assist
in the direction of a community center,however,would have no effect on the action from the
straw poll that was taken at the work session to move forward with the Churchill building.He
would guess that if approved a hearing could take place in January.
November 21, 2022 Page 3 of 9
Discussion was held on whether or not an amendment to the Resolution was needed to add the
property at 820 East Fifth Street.Interim City Attorney Mangieri stated that there is no wording
in the Resolution naming the specific options and therefore an amendment is not needed.
Council Member Wallace stated that the neighborhood around 820 E.Fifth Street is a close knit
community and likely wouldn’t like a community center located there.He also noted that he
doesn’t believe there are enough parking spaces.He would like something on that side of town
but doesn’t feel that this is a good location.
Council Member Smith-Esters questioned if any locations could be brought up at the public
hearing.Judge Mangieri noted that any and all options could be suggested at that time by the
public.Council Member Smith-Esters further stated that she hates kicking the can down the
road and that more important information needs to be discussed such as the need for
programming and how the center will be operated and feels that this resolution would be taking
a step backwards.
Council Member Hix stated that this public hearing would be asking for citizen comment and
input and that they are our constituents and taxpayers and have a right to express their
opinions.
Council Member White asked about the recent survey.Public Works Director Wayne Carl stated
that 62%voted for a community center however there was no question on the location.Council
Member Wallace stated having a public hearing could be a great forum but likely only 20-30%of
the public would attend and that there would be many individuals who couldn’t make the
hearing.Instead,he noted that possibly everyone with a water account could get a
questionnaire about a community center.
Council Member Hix asserted that the question of having a referendum came before the Council
at an earlier meeting and it was voted down.
Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to table agenda item
22-2071.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes:Council Members Wallace and White, 2.
Nays:Council Members Hix, Dennis, and Cox, 3.
Absent:Council Member Davis, 1.
Abstain:Council Member Smith-Esters, 1.
Chairman declared motion failed.
Council Member Wallace left the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Council Member Smith-Esters inquired about the resolution and the wording.Judge Mangieri
stated that it reads that “the City Council finds that hosting a public hearing at which citizens are
provided with information on community center location options and their respective
approximate cost would provide a beneficial opportunity for citizens to evaluate options and
share their opinion on the location of a community center.”He further stated that it says “the
November 21, 2022 Page 4 of 9
City Manager and his designees are hereby authorized and directed to take all necessary and
proper action to hold a public hearing for citizen input on the location of a community center.
Council Member Wallace returned to the meeting at 6:18 p.m.
Council Member White noted that a straw poll was taken and it was 4/3 in favor of moving
forward with Churchill.He is disappointed that the losing party is trying to figure out how to
move forward otherwise.He added that all the locations were looked at and were ruled out for
many different reasons.He feels that now,because certain Council Members lost their choice,
they are going back to the public.Council Member White reported that his constituents want
Churchill and that they need to vote for their residents.He also noted that an open house was
held at Churchill several months ago.
Roll Call #9:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, and Cox, 3.
Nays:Council Members Wallace, White, and Smith-Esters, 3.
Absent:Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared motion failed.
BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS
22-3042
Council Member Wallace moved,seconded by Council Member Smith-Esters,to approve the
purchase of a 2023 Ford F250 Extended Cab 4x4 with 8 foot bed in the amount of $49,531.46
for the Water Division. It is expected that the lifespan of this truck would be 12-15 years.
Roll Call #10:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Council Member Wallace left the meeting at 6:23 p.m.
Council Member Wallace returned to the meeting at 6:26 p.m.
22-3043
Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to approve the bid from
Hein Construction in the amount of $1,640,000,which includes a $50,000 contingency,for the
HVAC replacement at the Public Safety Building.
Council Member Hix asked why there would only be one bid for such a large project.
Community Development Director Steve Gugliotta stated that one contractor made him aware
that they would not be bidding and another contractor missed the date and time of the bid
opening.
November 21, 2022 Page 5 of 9
It was questioned if this system is the same one in the Court House,which has had issues.
Director Gugliotta and Mark Lee,Klinger &Associates,stated that the Court House system had
piping issues which have since been resolved.Lee noted that this system does come with a
5-year parts and labor warranty and a full 10-year parts warranty.The system also includes a
supplemental heat source that will kick on during rare events when the temperature drops
below -13 degrees.
Council Member Dennis noted that the contractor who didn’t get a bid in is a friend and he will
be abstaining.
Deputy Mayor Cox inquired if this system is in the Building Replacement Fund.Finance Director
Gloria Osborn stated that it is not and had not been a budgeted item and will therefore be paid
from the Planning Fund.Chief Idle stated that the system is old enough that it was not included
in the Building Replacement Fund and has simply been repaired along the way.
Roll Call #11:
Ayes:Council Members Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 4.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Abstain:Council Members Hix and Dennis, 2.
Chairman declared motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Pam Gaither,Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce,addressed the Council and welcomed
Gerald Smith to our community.She thanked all who attended the Thanksgiving Luncheon
today and congratulated Carol Hagan for receiving the Thomas B.Herring Community Service
Award.
A citizen addressed the Council and stated that she only found out about discussions on a
community center four months ago.She noted that she does not get the newspaper but does
listen to the radio station.She remarked that if she didn’t know about the community center
then there are likely others who do not as well.
Reverend Andrew Jowers addressed the Council and stated that a straw poll was taken and that
staff is moving in the direction of Churchill.He commended those who voted for the
improvements at Hawthorne Centre,which shows progress.Progress,he stated,is not easy and
is messy but that Council needs to move forward.Reverend Jowers noted that if the Mayor and
Council Member Davis were in attendance he doesn’t feel that the meeting would have gone
the way it has.He stated that it is the Council Member ’s job to educate people,especially the
younger generation.He reminded them that they need to think about what history will say
about their votes.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
A.November Traffic Advisory Committee Report.
November 21, 2022 Page 6 of 9
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.)
22-4112
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Cox,to approve two
separate off-duty police officer work agreements -one to be utilized for public entities and a
separate agreement for private entities.
Roll Call #12:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member Wallace,to sit as the Town
Board. The motion carried.
Township Clerk Bennewitz read information in honor and memory of Christine Eik Winick,
former Township Supervisor, who passed away on November 4th.
TOWN BUSINESS
22-9026
Trustee Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Trustee Dennis,to approve Town bills and warrants
be drawn in payment of same.
Fund Title Amount
Town Fund $1,000.49
General Assistance Fund $6,056.59
IMRF Fund
Social Security/Medicare Fund
Liability Fund
Audit Fund
Total $7,057.08
Roll Call #13:
Ayes:Trustees Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
Absent:Trustee Davis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-9027
Trustee Dennis moved,seconded by Trustee Smith-Esters,to approve Township Resolution
22-03 appointing Kimberly Thierry to fill the unexpired term of Township Supervisor through
May 2025.
Roll Call #14:
Ayes:Trustees Hix, Dennis, Wallace, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 6.
Nays:None
November 21, 2022 Page 7 of 9
Absent:Trustee Davis, 1.
Chairman declared motion carried.
22-9028
Ordinance on first reading approving the Township Budget and Appropriation for the fiscal year
beginning January 1, 2023, and ending December 31, 2023, showing the following:
General Town Fund $497,224
Audit Fund $20,000
Liability Fund $9,000
Social Security/Medicare Fund $34,000
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)$34,000
General Assistance Fund $455,800
Total Appropriations $1,050,024
22-9029
Ordinance on first reading approving the 2022 Property Tax Levy for the Town of the City of
Galesburg in the amount of $531,000.
Council Member Smith-Esters moved,seconded by Council Member White,to resume as the
City Council. The motion carried.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member Hix congratulated Carol Hagan for receiving the Herring award and knows that
she volunteers a lot of hours for the United Way and the Lion’s Club.He also thanked Pam
Gaither for a great Thanksgiving luncheon.
Council Member Dennis apologized for not being able to attend the Community Thanksgiving
Luncheon.
Council Member Wallace congratulated Kim Thierry on her appointment to Township
Supervisor.He added that he believes Churchill is the best fit for a community center and is in
the center of town.
Council Member White stated that the community has a right to speak and let their elected
officials know how they feel.He reminded everyone that an open house was held at Churchill
in November 2021,the building was purchased in May 2022,and all that information was
posted for the public.He reiterated that they have been working on a community center for
over a year now and he does not want to continue to kick the can down the road.
Council Member White would like the community to get together and talk about what they
want in a community center and added that he knows there will be costs but that you can’t put
November 21, 2022 Page 8 of 9
a price on a smile.He stated that anyone who would like to talk to him about the community
center can contact him.
Council Member Smith-Esters announced the second annual Holly Days parade will be held
December 4th at 5 p.m.She also added that she is thankful for everyone who attends the
meetings. An announcement will also be made soon on the warming center.
Council Member Wallace left the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Council Member Cox asked City Manager Smith to work with Ken Springer and investigate the
Cradle to Career initiative,which is similar to the Knox County CEO program.It has been
successful in Spartanburg,South Carolina,and McLean County,near peoria.In McLean County,
the program is an organization of dedicated community,education,and business leaders
committed to unify and mobilize community and external resources by enhancing the culture of
shared responsibility to maintain and enhance workforce development in McLean County.Their
mission is to grow a robust,diverse,and work-ready talent pipeline through an integrated
network of employers, educators, and community resources.
Council Member Cox wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
There being no further business,Council Member Cox,seconded by Council Member
Smith-Esters, to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:03 p.m.
Roll Call #15:
Ayes:Council Members Hix, Dennis, White, Smith-Esters, and Cox, 5.
Nays:None
Absent:Council Members Wallace and Davis, 2.
Chairman declared motion carried.
Peter D. Schwartzman, Mayor
Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk
November 21, 2022 Page 9 of 9