HomeMy WebLinkAbout061923 City Council Meeting MinutesGalesburg City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois
June 19, 2023
6:00 p.m.
Called to order by Mayor Peter Schwartzman at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call #1: Present: Mayor Peter Schwartzman, Council Members Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis,
Evan Miller, Dwight White, Heather Acerra, Sarah Davis, and Steve Cheesman, 8. Also Present:
Acting City Manager Steve Gugliotta, Interim City Attorney Paul Mangieri, and City Clerk Kelli
Ben newitz.
Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Proclamation: Juneteenth
Presentation: Youth Commission
A moment of silence was observed in lieu of an invocation.
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Miller, to approve the minutes of
the City Council's regular meeting from June 5, 2023.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to approve the minutes of
the City Council's special meeting from June 12, 2023.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, and Cheesman, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: Council Member Davis, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Amanda Larson addressed the Council and stated that her grandson is a type 1 diabetic and has
done a lot of research on the disease. For many, with the disease, eating healthy or organic is
very expensive. She stated that she knew in the past that community gardens had been planted
in town and asked about the possibility of getting support for donations from these gardens.
June 19, 2023 Page 1 of 7
Jeanette Chernin addressed the Council and thanked the Mayor, Steve Gugliotta, and Council
Members Dennis and Acerra for taking an interest in the dilapidated buildings she has brought
forward to the Council. She noted that the burned houses on North Street still have no barrier
around them to protect the public. She stated that 110 East North is extremely dilapidated, and
it was confirmed that there is water service but no electricity.
Ms. Chernin announced that there were three great Juneteenth events over the weekend and
she thanked the Mayor, Council Member White and others for attending. She pointed out that
Juneteenth is not just a black holiday but a date in history when everyone became free. She has
served on the NAACP board for nine years but was still able to learn a lot over the weekend.
John Peterson addressed the Council and stated that two years ago the Galesburg Youth Athletic
Club hosted a "Gloves Not Guns" program, which included guest speakers, catered lunches,
t-shirts, diplomas, and a closing ceremony. Several Council Members and City staff attended
and worked together to make it a success. He is hopeful that the City Council and Mayor can
work together and do the same for meetings now.
Jessica Columbie-Harris addressed the Council and announced that she would like to run for
Mayor in two years to help with corruption in the Police Department and residents with drug
addiction. She also believes that sidewalks around town are in dire need of repair.
CONSENT AGENDA #2023-12
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will
be enacted by one motion.
23-3018
Approve the bid from Gunther Construction, a Division of UCM, in the amount of $123,857.93
for miscellaneous sidewalk replacement at various locations within the City.
23-3019
Approve the bid from Gunther Construction, a Division of UCM, in the amount of $48,444.45 for
the replacement of driveway pavement at Central Fire Station.
23-6003
Approve the appointment of Jaclyn Smith -Esters to the Youth Commission, term expiring
December 2024.
23-8011
Approve bills in the amount of $3,321,733.23 and advance checks in the amount of
$210,974.46.
Council Member White reported that the sidewalk in front of 558 West South Street is in need
of repair and would request that the project get moved up on the Street Division's schedule. He
noted that he has sent pictures to staff but was told that it likely wouldn't get completed until
next year.
June 19, 2023 Page 2 of 7
Council Member Cheesman stated that during his Council Member Orientation the backlog of
repairs needed was discussed and the lack of staff to work on these maintenance items. His
hope is that the City Council can talk about this issue in the near future and possibly add staff to
work on these projects.
Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve Consent
Agenda 2023-12.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried by omnibus vote.
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
23-1014
Council Member Acerra moved, seconded by Council Member Miller, to approve Special
Ordinance 23-618 on final reading proposing an amendment to Special Service Area One to
provide for a ten-year extension of the $1.50 tax and authorizes staff to establish a date for a
public hearing for the proposed amendment.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
23-2043
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member White, to approve Resolution
23-40 authorizing discounted pricing to Galesburg Township's General Assistance office for the
purchase of both single and punch passes for fixed route public transportation.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (AGREEMENTS, APPROVALS, ETC.)
23-4056
Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Miller, to approve an
amendment to the 2023 Classification and Salary Schedule for exempt employees by adding the
June 19, 2023 Page 3 of 7
position of City Attorney and removing the positions of Assistant Public Works Director and
Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
23-4057
Council Member Davis moved, seconded by Council Member White, to approve an Urban
Agriculture grant in the amount of $25,000 for Greenlords Pharms LLC.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
23-4058
Council Member White moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to approve an Urban
Agriculture grant in the amount of $25,000 for Galesburg Fruit Orchard Project.
Mark Rasmussen addressed the Council and stated that he has planted over ten orchards (500
trees) in the last ten years and is thankful for the volunteer help he receives. He explained that
with this help, fruit is never left to rot or cause a problem in the neighborhood. He is also
looking forward to being able to expand educational opportunities in the schools and to work
with students in building skills. Mr. Rasmussen noted that he keeps his properties well
maintained, clean, and has many volunteers who help with harvesting.
Roll Call #9:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Council Member White moved, seconded by Council Member Davis, to sit as the Town Board.
The motion carried.
TOWN BUSINESS
23-9013
Trustee Davis moved, seconded by Trustee White, to approve Town bills and warrants to be
drawn in payment of same.
Fund Title
Amount
Town Fund
$8,856.76
General Assistance Fund
$4,478.74
June 19, 2023 Page 4 of 7
IMRF Fund
$2,958.56
Social Security/Medicare Fund
$2,440.81
Liability Fund
Audit Fund
$8,000.00
Total
$26,934.87
Roll Call #10:
Ayes: Trustees Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Trustees Member Davis moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to resume as the City
Council. The motion carried.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Mayor Schwartzman reminded the Council that they now have a three -minute limit for Closing
Comments.
Council Member Acerra expressed her appreciation for all the Juneteenth events and while
attending, she met Galesburg native Sherrell Wallace who makes t-shirts with the logo "Living
Inside Out." She appreciates that Ms. Wallace is living her values.
Council Member Davis appreciated the proclamation and Jeanette Chernin's comments. She
hopes people consider supporting black owned businesses by making purchases from them.
Council Member Davis read lines from the song Pride by Jake Edwards:
How many more have to die
So I can have my pride?
How many more have to die
So I can have my pride?
1969
Standing on the front line
They raid of safest spaces
And expect us to resign
But we fought for our rights
For many days and many nights
And now we march in the daylight
To continue the fight
1981
Another war has begun
They used our bodies like bullets
June 19, 2023 Page 5 of 7
A disease as the gun
Our freedom has a cost
We need to honor those we've lost
And never take for granted
The boundaries that they crossed
Council Member Cheesman stated that he was glad the City was able to help Mark Rasmussen
and Demarkius Medley with Urban Ag Grants. He was also able to attend some of the
Juneteenth events and found them very impactful and hopes that on holidays like these,
everyone reflects on the past and the future. He also noted that growing up and living here,
he's had a chance to visit with all kinds of people. One thing that is very consistent is how much
people care and take pride in living in Galesburg. He believes that the Council owes it to
everyone to make positive impacts - repairing streets and sidewalks, furthering development
downtown, increasing tourism, youth, etc. He hopes the entire community can partner together
to make this happen.
Council Member Hix expressed his appreciation for City staff, who don't often get thanks. He
noted that Steve Gugliotta has done an excellent job, as well as Elizabeth Varner and the golf
professional, Bryan Luedtke, who is an excellent teacher. He also thanked Aaron Gavin, Don
Miles, Gloria Osborn, Kelli Bennewitz, and Ericka Gugliotta, for also being available to answer
questions.
Council Member Dennis stated that he was able to attend the Juneteenth event at Carl
Sandburg College. He also thanked Dave Selkirk, Golf Commission Chairperson, for his
information on Bunker Links Golf Course.
Council Member Miller expressed his sympathy for the loss of fellow employee Ron Noble. Mr.
Noble was very instrumental in setting up the American flags during the holidays in town, as
well as his commitment to Railroad Days.
Council Member White thanked everyone who had a chance to attend the Juneteenth
celebration at Carl Sandburg College. He especially enjoyed the Q&A session with Pastor Tony
Franklin and hopes that something similar could be done at the City. He added that he knows
one day Juneteenth will be a holiday for the City.
Council Member White stated that there is a flag that says "DON'T TREAD ON ME," and there
was a great man who said "Give me liberty, or give me death." These are both about freedoms
but he wondered how free people were back then and read General Order No. 3, dated June 19,
1865, "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a Proclamation from the
Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal
rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore
existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are
advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that
they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in
idleness either there or elsewhere."
June 19, 2023 Page 6 of 7
Mayor Schwartzman recognized that the City was able to give two significant grants tonight and
that he has been involved with local food initiatives statewide, serving on the board of directors
for the Illinois Stewardship Alliance. He noted that it is very unusual for a City to support these
types of initiatives and that it's something we can all be thankful for. He reported that the City
has awarded three of these grants and is thankful for all the work that went into the process,
including from Ken Springer.
The Mayor stated that he attended all the Juneteenth events over the weekend and learned a
lot and had a chance to meet Ross Wilburn, who is an African American born in Galesburg,
served as Mayor of Iowa City, and currently serves in the Iowa State House of Representatives.
Mr. Wilburn relayed to the Mayor that there were African Americans from Galesburg who
fought in the Civil War, including one of his relatives. The Mayor will be sharing more of his story
on his Facebook page.
Mayor Schwartzman was pleased to announce that he feels there was a shift in how the
meeting tonight was conducted, including the new rules for Public Comment and Closing
Comments. He appreciates everyone who spoke and reminded people to keep their cool during
these hot summer months.
The Mayor reminded everyone that the Council will hold a Work Session next Monday, June
26th. He also noted that on July 2nd, the community will celebrate Lipanda Day, and that the
Railroad Days Festival will start this week.
There being no further business, Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member
Acerra, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:59 p.m.
Roll Call #11:
Ayes: Council Members Hix, Dennis, Miller, White, Acerra, Davis, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Peter D. Mayor Schwartzman, Mayor
Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk
June 19, 2023 Page 7 of 7