HomeMy WebLinkAbout081924 City Council Meeting MinutesGalesburg City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street,Galesburg,Illinois
August 19,2024
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:
City Manager Eric Hanson,and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.
Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Semenya McCord gave the invocation.
Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member White,to approve the minutes of
the City Council’s regular meeting from August 5,2024.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
David Selkirk addressed the Council and reported that the Bunker Links Golf Professional,Bryan
Luedtke,tied for first place in the Iowa PGA Pro-Select.He also noted that the Elks and the
Abingdon American Legion held golf tournaments at Bunker Links recently.He thanked Don
Miles,Parks &Recreation Department Director,as well as Matt Miles,Bryan Luedtke,and the
other employees for their work on keeping the golf course in great shape.Mr.Selkirk stated
that he met a woman from Myrtle Beach who complimented on what a great golf course
Galesburg has to offer.He also reminded the community that Ashley Hankes,Jim &Kae Hankes’
daughter-in-law,will be performing on America's Got Talent this week and encouraged them to
vote for her.
CONSENT AGENDA #2024-14
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will
be enacted by one motion.
24-3036
August 19,2024 Page 1 of 8
Approve a five-year agreement with Webber Rental &Supply of Galesburg to provide portable
restrooms.
24-5008
Receive the quarterly investment report.
24-8013
Approve bills in the amount of $1,157,994.89 and advance checks in the amount of
$815,721.35.
Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Acerra,to approve Consent
Agenda 2024-14.
Roll Call #3:
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
24-1017
Ordinance on first reading amending Section 113.043(A)of Chapter 113 of the Galesburg
Municipal Code regarding the limitation on the number of Class A-1 liquor licenses.
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Miller,to suspend the rules and
move agenda item 24-1017 to final reading.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,Acerra,and Cheesman,5.
Nays:Council Member White and Davis,2.
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Miller,to approve Ordinance
24-3737 on final reading amending Section 113.043(A)of Chapter 113 of the Galesburg
Municipal Code regarding the limitation on the number of Class A-1 liquor licenses.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-1018
Ordinances on first reading setting the salaries for the Mayor,Council Members,and City Clerk
for terms beginning May 2025.
August 19,2024 Page 2 of 8
Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to suspend the rules and
move agenda item 24-1018 to final reading.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,Acerra,and Davis,5.
Nays:Council Members White and Cheesman,2.
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Mayor Schwartzman stated that the Mayor and Council salaries have remained the same for a
long period of time and asked if there was thought of increasing either.City Manager Hanson
stated that if Council would like staff to look into increases and compare other communities,he
would be happy to proceed.
Council Member Cheesman stated that he would not be voting for a raise for Council Members
but that he would like to give the public time to research and comment and would therefore like
to keep the ordinance at two readings.Council Member White expressed that he felt similarly
and both stated that they are supportive of the salary ordinance for the City Clerk.
Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve Ordinances
24-3738 through 24-3740 on final reading approving the salaries for the Mayor,Council
Members,and City Clerk for terms beginning May 2025.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-2019
Council Member Acerra moved,seconded by Council Member White,to approve Resolution
24-17 authorizing the purchase of 314 South Henderson Street,29 Public Square and 91 West
Simmons Street.
City Manager Hanson explained that the Knox County Trustee purchases and sells properties on
behalf of all taxing bodies.It would be the City ’s hope that all these properties could see
development since they are prime commercial locations.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,Cheesman,and Mayor
Schwartzman,8.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
BIDS,PETITIONS,AND COMMUNICATIONS
August 19,2024 Page 3 of 8
24-3037
Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve the bid from
Lockwood Excavating and Construction in the amount of $137,448.35 for the demolition and
cleanup-up of six properties.
Roll Call #9:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-3038
Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Acerra,to approve the bid from
Yemm Chevrolet in the amount of $49,951 for the purchase of a 2025 RAM ProMaster 1500
cargo van to be utilized by the Recreation Division.
Roll Call #10:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Hanson announced and congratulated Police Chief Russ Idle on 30 years with the
Galesburg Police Department.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (AGREEMENTS,APPROVALS,ETC.)
24-4053
Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve the proposal
submitted by The Stone River Group LLC to perform energy consultation services.
Roll Call #11:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-4054
Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Acerra,to approve an agreement
with Direct Energy to supply energy for city-owned properties based on the most favorable
pricing obtained from the energy consultant.The agreement is based on a 36-month term with
an anticipated fixed rate of $0.07239/kWh resulting in an estimated savings of $61,077.52 over
the utility default rate for the length of the agreement.The location utilizing solar power will be
on an index rate to allow all the credits to be applied to the account.
Roll Call #12:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
August 19,2024 Page 4 of 8
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-4055
Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Acerra,to approve an agreement
with Davis &Campbell LLC to provide legal services as the City Attorney.
Council Member Acerra expressed her support and added that her HR firm has worked with
Davis &Campbell and that they are very professional and have extensive experience and
knowledge.Council Member Cheesman and the Mayor both added that they also support this
decision and are impressed with the outstanding services and attorneys that will be available to
the City.
Roll Call #13:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-4056
Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Acerra,to approve an annual
maintenance agreement with ProPhoenix Corporation in the amount of $99,173.86 for the
continued support of the various modules of the proprietary records management software
utilized by the Police Department.
Roll Call #14:
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 sit as the Town Board.
The motion carried.
TOWN BUSINESS
24-9015
Trustee Miller moved,seconded by Trustee Acerra,to approve Town bills and warrants to be
drawn in payment of same.
Fund Title Amount
Town Fund $19,591.00
General Assistance Fund $7,279.71
IMRF Fund
August 19,2024 Page 5 of 8
Social Security/Medicare Fund
Liability Fund
Audit Fund $19,000.00
Total $45,870.71
Roll Call #15:
Ayes:Trustees Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-9016
Ordinances on first reading setting the salaries for the Township Supervisor,Township Trustees,
Township Assessor,and the Township Clerk for terms beginning May 2025.The Township
Assessor ’s salary would begin with the term starting January 1,2026.
Trustee Miller moved,seconded by Trustee Dennis,to suspend the rules and move agenda item
24-9016 to final reading.
Roll Call #16:
Ayes:Trustees Hix,Dennis,Miller,and Acerra,4.
Nays:Trustees White,Davis,and Cheesman,3.
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Trustee Cheesman stated that he feels that same rationale for not suspending the rules for
these salary ordinances as he did for the City ordinances.He would like to give the public two
weeks to review the information and ask questions.
Trustee Miller moved,seconded by Trustee Dennis,to approve Ordinances 24-01 through 24-04
on final reading setting the salaries for the Township Supervisor,Township Trustees,Township
Assessor,and the Township Clerk for terms beginning May 2025.The Township Assessor ’s
salary would begin with the term starting January 1,2026.
Roll Call #17:
Ayes:Trustees Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Trustee Miller moved,seconded by Trustee Acerra,to resume as the City Council.The motion
carried.
August 19,2024 Page 6 of 8
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member Acerra stated that she was unable to attend the River-2-River car show this
past weekend,but that it was her understanding that it was very successful.She also wanted to
wish her son,Luke,a happy 27th birthday.
Council Member Davis has enjoyed receiving pictures from this year ’s school kick off and wishes
everyone a great school year.
Council Member Cheesman stated that there was a lot of progress made at tonight ’s meeting,
although there is still a way to go.He commended City Manager Hanson for his leadership,
experience,and knowledge on moving the City forward.
Council Member Hix welcomed Dan Alcorn and Christopher Jump to the City and also noted
that he attended the River-2-River car show.He also thanked Police Officer Taylor for letting
him participate in the K9 demonstration during the National Night Out.
Council Member Dennis congratulated Chief Idle on his 30-year anniversary with the
Department.
Council Member Miller stated that he had a chance to attend the car show and was very
impressed and envious since he has been working on his own antique car for three years.He
also had a chance to visit Heritage Days and talk to several citizens about the community.He
thanked many of the Department Directors and the City Manager for their leadership and
congratulated Chief Idle on his 30-year milestone.
Council Member White reported that he was able to attend the MDA kickoff at the Central Fire
Station and feels that it is a great project.He added that Galesburg has consistently been one
of the top in the state of Illinois,only behind Chicago.He encouraged everyone to give.
Council Member White welcomed Attorneys Alcorn and Jump and he also expressed that he
was pleased to see that Yemm,a local company,was able to be the successful bidder for the van
approved tonight.He reminded the public that the City will host a public input meeting
tomorrow,Tuesday,August 20th,at 6:00 p.m.in the gymnasium at Learning Connections of
Galesburg,849 S.Henderson St.,for citizens to provide input on the proposed improvements
for the Cooke Property Park Development project.He also thanked staff for getting the tree
limbs at Lancaster Park cleaned up and added that South Street and Tompkins Street look great
after the recent road work and patching.
Mayor Schwartzman also stated that he attended the River-2-River car show and had the
opportunity to pick the winning car for the show.He also reported that the City Council and
Department Directors completed a strategic planning session.He is looking forward to receiving
the final report in the next month or so and noted that the community will also have a chance
to view the information.This information will be used to help the Council set priorities for the
upcoming year.
August 19,2024 Page 7 of 8
The Mayor praised the citizen,who wishes to remain anonymous,for the beautiful flowers and
plantings around the gazebo in Lincoln Park and noted that there is more to come.He also
reiterated the information on the MDA Fill the Boot Kick Off and thanked TJ Scott,Joe Brignall,
and other firefighters for their work on this important project,and noted that last year
Galesburg raised over $33,000 and was second in the state.
There being no further business,Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member
Dennis,to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:51 p.m.
Roll Call #18:
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
August 19,2024 Page 8 of 8