HomeMy WebLinkAbout061223 Special City Council Meeting MinutesGalesburg City Council Special Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois
June 12, 2023
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,
Evan Miller, Dwight White, Heather Acerra, and Steve Cheesman, 7. Absent: Council Member
Sarah Davis, 1. Also Present: Acting City Manager Steve Gugliotta, Interim City Attorney Paul
Mangieri, and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.
Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Hix, to adjourn into Executive
Session at 5:33 p.m. for the purposes of discussing the appointment, employment,
compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or
legal counsel for the public body (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), and approval of the executive session
minutes from the May 15, 2023, and June 5, 2023, meetings, (5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(21).
Roll Call #2:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, and Cheesman, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
During the Executive Session, Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member
Dennis, to return to the Special City Council Meeting at 6:47 p.m.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, and Cheesman, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Interim City Attorney Paul Mangieri announced that together with Attorney Jeffrey McDaniel, a
severance of employment and compensatory settlement agreement with full and final release
of all claims between the City of Galesburg and Gerald Smith is being proposed to the City
Council to accept and approve.
Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis, to approve the presented
Severance of Employment and Compensatory Settlement with City Manager Gerald Smith.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, Acerra, and Cheesman, 5.
Nays: None
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Absent: Council Member Davis, 1.
Abstain: Council Member White, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Council Member White stated that he was part of the group who hired Mr. Smith and he had a
chance to speak to him and apologized for getting him into this mess.
Mayor Schwartzman announced that based on previous meetings, he asked everyone to remain
civil. No cheering or clapping will be tolerated. He noted that it is not fair to those in the room
who may disagree and that they are entitled to their opinion. He asked that comments are
directly related to City business.
Jim Jacobs addressed the Council and shamed Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, and Acerra,
for running the City Manager out of town.
Kevin Wallace addressed the Council and distributed information about the rail park and the
lack of safety. He also stated regarding the City Manager, that he and Council Member White
never wavered on choosing him. He was the individual with the best education, background,
knowledge, and they hired the best person. Not because he was black, but because he was
progressive and knew what he was doing. He stands with Mr. Smith and is ashamed of the
process that happened tonight.
Mr. Wallace added that he has been talking with Chief Hovind about issues of preparedness
with the railroad and any possible spills of hazardous materials. He has been involved for many
years with the railroad and stated that they don't care about such things and will bury the cart
or burn the hazardous materials. The Council has the opportunity to negotiate these items with
the railroad and because he is employed by the railroad, that is one of the reasons why he
abstained on any rail projects when he was on the Council. He further added that we are all still
dealing with a race problem but he's praying the Council turns around and sees what they're
doing. We're dividing our cities and telling lies. He hopes in the near future that they gain
confidence and do what they're supposed to be doing to represent the city.
Wendell Hunnigan addressed the Council and stated that he moved to Galesburg over 50 years
ago and has taught at Carl Sandburg College, Knox College, and Monmouth College. Over the
years, he believes he's taught close to 9,000 students during his half century career. He also
served as a library board member for 35 years, and just completed his term on the school
board. He stated that he heard someone use the analogy to describe diversity and inclusion as
diversity being the process of being invited to the party, while inclusion is the process of being
asked to dance. Mr. Hunnigan further stated that he feels that not only has he been asked to sit
down and shut up, but warned by several members of the City Council in no uncertain terms to
never attend this dance again unless he conforms to their beliefs and agenda.
He stated that they may have won this battle but they have started an unnecessary war,
particularly with the black and brown community of Galesburg. He wondered how they are
going to attract first class talent to this community when the first thing on the meeting agenda
is to fire the City Manager.
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Andrea Bejarano-Robinson addressed the Council and stated that she is a new member of our
community and chose Galesburg specifically because she's a Latin woman. She felt that a city
led by an African American would understand the realities that her children have, but instead all
she sees is division. She added that her kids don't feel safe or want to attend school here.
Additionally, she hopes that if Council Members are invited to their events, to be part of their
community, they attend.
Reverend Jowers addressed the Council and stated in full disclosure that he worked for Mayor
Schwartzman to help him get elected. He noted that his church is in the Fifth Ward but that he
lives in the Sixth Ward. He added that he wanted to use his three minutes for a moment of
silence. He stated that he would rather people get their sheet with eyes cut out and the hood
instead of what happened tonight. He stated that the LGBTQ+ people don't mind being real and
letting you know who they are. The City Manager has a family, children, and relatives that look
up to him. He quoted Jeremiah 17:9 that the heart is above all else deceitful and wicked.
Reverend James Hailey addressed the Council and stated that he has invited members of the
Council to functions and they have not shown up and noted past Juneteenth celebrations. He
hoped they all would support each other's Wards and invited them to attend this year's
Juneteenth events at Carl Sandburg College.
Pastor Tony Franklin addressed the Council and stated that it hurts his heart to move back after
seven years and witness what he saw tonight. He noted that he and Jim Jacobs used to present
diversity training around the City to help people understand how they need to come together as
a community and be unified. He stated that when he spoke at the dedication of the underpass
for Reverend Sibley, he talked about him being a bridge builder, which is what the Council needs
now.
Pastor Franklin noted that the community had a diverse City Council and for some reason,
people didn't like that. Council needs to realize that the community is made up of more than
people that look like them and start sitting down at a table with people who are different. He
hopes they can develop true relationships with people different from themselves. He believes
each person has a conscience and they need to take time to evaluate themselves. He hopes the
Council pays attention to the people and listens to what they have to say and invited everyone
to attend a workshop during the Juneteenth event, 1 p.m., with a panel of people to talk about
the thin line between love and hate.
Jeanette Chernin addressed the Council and distributed information on recently burned out
houses on East North Street that happened in early April. She stated that there is no fencing
around these homes, a generator on the front porch, several inoperable vehicles and children in
the home. She asked what it would take to condemn these properties for the safety of the
neighborhood and children.
Council Member Acerra stated that she totally supports what Ms. Chernin has stated that these
houses are also very close to her home. She thanked her for taking the time to document issues
with many of the homes in the Ward. She added that she has shared her concerns with Mayor
Schwartzman, as well as several pages of other initiatives that she would like to undertake to
June 12, 2023 Page 3 of 4
really help the City in addressing abandoned and specifically burned properties. She's learning
that there are various legal steps that have to be taken to address these to be fair to the
property owner, but this is a huge commitment of hers.
Debbie Ward addressed the Council and stated that she loves rainbows and loves our
community. She hopes everyone has a chance to live their best life, not be judged and that
there is no room for bigotry in our community. She asked the Council to be united, inclusive,
and promote peace and acceptance.
Sallee Wade addressed the Council and stated that she still believes Galesburg can be a
lighthouse instead of a clubhouse. She invited everyone to read an article that will be coming
out this weekend on facing issues with resilience and creativity. She added that many who have
white privilege have no idea what black individuals have had to face in their lifetime. She is
concerned that with the actions tonight, the City will be hard-pressed to find another City
Manager.
Reverend Jowers stated to the Council that he was unaware of the new public comment
ordinance not taking effect for ten days. He noted that he is of African descent and that his
ancestors were slaves. He added that people are watching, especially when they place their
hand on their hearts and recite the pledge.
Bruce Weik addressed the Council and asked the amount of severance payout Mr. Smith would
be receiving. Interim City Attorney Mangieri announced that the amount will be $74,795.56.
Mr. Weik stated that the City is lucky that Mr. Smith's attorney isn't suing for $50 million or
giving him City Hall. He believes this is a blatant racist act and that four Council Members led
this charge and are also attending Patriot meetings. He stated that they will be dealt with and
gotten rid of.
There being no further business, Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member
Miller, to adjourn the Special City Council Meeting at 7:39 p.m.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, and Cheesman, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Peter D. Schwartzman, Mayor
Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk
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