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Home My WebLink About091624 City Council Meeting MinutesGalesburg City Council Regular Meeting City Council Chambers 55 West Tompkins Street,Galesburg,Illinois September 16,2024 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,City Attorney Christopher Jump,and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz. Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A moment of silence was observed in lieu of an invocation. Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member White,to approve the minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting from September 3,2024. 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 CONSENT AGENDA #2024-15 All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. 24-2020 Approve Resolution 24-18 for the funding of the South Lake Storey Road multi-use path project. 24-2021 Approve Resolution 24-19 for the temporary closure of Main Street for the 2024 Treat Street event on October 26,2024. 24-4057 Approve the bid from CDS in the amount of $33,087 for the purchase of vehicle printers for the Galesburg Police Department and Knox County Sheriff's office e-Citation system. 24-4058 September 16,2024 Page 1 of 6 Approve a Healthy Houses Rehabilitation Grant application with Western Illinois Regional Council and the grant submission cost of $1,250. 24-4059 Approve a special event application for AGES Community to have a Haunted Trails event on the trails around Lakeside Nature Center October 4-26,2024. 24-5009 Receive a rate schedule for towing and storage services from Cantrell’s Towing. 24-8015 Approve bills in the amount of $1,178,922.30 and advance checks in the amount of $193,724.73. Council Member White asked for a comparison of this grant and the other grants that are currently available through the City.Community Development Director Steve Gugliotta reported that the current DCEO Single Family Owner Occupied grant that was awarded to the City is for Housing Rehabilitation for approximately 10 single-family owner-occupied low-income homes located in a targeted area of Galesburg.The targeted area for this grant is the southwest portion of the City.Eligible repairs include improvements for plumbing,electrical,siding, painting,etc.The next step is for DCEO to send the City a formal grant agreement.Once that is in place,a public meeting will take place inviting those in the target area to attend.WIRC will provide an overview of the program and explain how homeowners can schedule an application intake. He reported that tonight’s grant approval will be to assist landlords in replacing the HVAC systems in rental units of 6 units or less,occupied by low-to-moderate income tenants.The City will be requesting $300,000.While there is no match required by the property owner or the City,the City is encouraged to provide $10,000 in matching funds to improve the competitive rating in the grant award process.A Public Hearing will be held on October 7th at 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers prior to the Council meeting and WIRC will be there to provide an overview of the program.Applications for the program are due on November 6,2024. Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve Consent Agenda 2024-15. 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 24-2022 September 16,2024 Page 2 of 6 Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member White,to approve Resolution 24-20 in support of committing local funds for a Railroad Crossing Elimination Program application to the Federal Railroad Administration for a project planning study at the South Street underpass and Mulberry Street crossing.The City’s share is $168,399. Council Member Cheesman expressed that this is good news,which will add to the area in terms of safety and aesthetics.Mayor Schwartzman asked about the scope of the project once the study is complete.City Manager Hanson noted that the City will have some financial commitment,but that more will be known in the future. Roll Call #4: 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 A.September Traffic Advisory Committee Report B.Trick or Treat will be held Thursday,October 31,2024,5-8 p.m. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (AGREEMENTS,APPROVALS,ETC.) 24-4060 Council Member White moved,seconded by Council Member Acerra,to approve a joint funding agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for the Lake Storey multi-use path project. Council Member Davis stated that she is excited about the completion of this path personally and for the community.Since moving to Galesburg,she has heard many comments about citizens using it and is glad to see it moving forward.Council Member Cheesman noted the same and that its completion will enhance the park and community. Roll Call #5: Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared the motion carried. 24-4061 Council Member Davis moved,seconded by Council Member Acerra,to approve an intergovernmental agreement with Knox County for the Lake Storey multi-use path. Roll Call #6: September 16,2024 Page 3 of 6 Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared the motion carried. 24-4062 Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to waive normal purchasing policies and approve the purchase of five 22-passenger buses from Midwest Transit Equipment utilizing IDOT’s Consolidated Vehicle Procurement Program for a total cost of $904,260. The Mayor thanked the Galesburg Transit staff for going above and beyond to get these buses and to ensure the best service possible for our community. Roll Call #7: 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 24-9019 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 $8,845.61 General Assistance Fund $7,322.18 IMRF Fund Social Security/Medicare Fund Liability Fund Audit Fund Total $16,167.79 Roll Call #8: 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. September 16,2024 Page 4 of 6 CLOSING COMMENTS Council Member White thanked Director Gugliotta for his explanation of the two housing grants,noting that sometimes citizens don’t understand all the requirements.Now,he will be able to point back to this meeting so that citizens can listen,as well as let them know they can sign up for the eNotify alerts.He also announced that he visited the new grocery store and encouraged everyone to do the same. Council Member Acerra stated that she had a fun weekend in Galesburg,where lots of people were out and about,and she was able to attend a trivia night at the beautiful Civic Art Center. She also thanked the Galesburg Sanitary District for taking the lead on letting property owners know about old pipe replacement on Broad Street after a miscommunication.She appreciates their leadership and being forthright about the issue. Council Member Davis thanked Council Member Acerra for the update on Broad Street,as well as the Sanitary District for the maintenance project.She hopes everyone enjoys the upcoming fall season and good weather. Council Member Cheesman thanked Director Gugliotta and Kraig Boynton for their hard work on the complicated procedure of getting the five buses.He also wished everyone a happy Hispanic Month.He also displayed his t-shirt from the Galesburg High School’s CARE Club “Streaks 9-11 Stair Climb”to honor the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks and the firefighters who died in the World Trade Center.He also thanked GHS School Resource Officer and Police Officer Todd Olinger,as well as the Galesburg Fire Department and Police Department,who were in attendance. Council Member Hix thanked Mike Doi,Aaron Gavin,and the Street Division staff for the much improved infrastructure around town.The newly improved roads have made it much easier to get around town.He also said hello to his brother watching in Texas,and wished his sister a happy birthday. Council Member Miller announced that harvesting will start for him next week and reminded everyone to be aware of the slow moving farm equipment on the roads. Mayor Schwartzman reported on a very successful Stearman Fly In,which boasted 78 planes, many volunteers,and a great breakfast,and thanked the hospitality team for the event.He also announced that on Saturday and Sunday,Galesburg hosted its first Scrabble tournament with 34 people attending.He added that he heard from many attendees that they were impressed with our community,downtown,other sites,etc.He hopes to make this an annual event and thanked Darla Krejci for her work on promoting the event. The Mayor also announced that starting in October,the Walk of the Dead Haunted Trail will take place every Friday and Saturday,7-11 p.m.The trail will open on Friday,October 4th.He also noted that the Railyard Pop-Up Concert was well attended. September 16,2024 Page 5 of 6 There being no further business,Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member White,to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:36 p.m. Roll Call #9: 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 September 16,2024 Page 6 of 6