HomeMy WebLinkAbout111824 City Council Meeting Minutes5:00 p.m.Public Hearing:DCEO CDBG Public Infrastructure Grant
5:15 p.m.Presentation:Housing Study
5:50 p.m.Public Hearing:FY 2025 City of Galesburg Budget
Public Hearing:FY 2025 Township Budget
Galesburg City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street,Galesburg,Illinois
November 18,2024
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 Dan Alcorn,and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz.
Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Semenya McCord gave the invocation.
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Miller,to approve the minutes of
the City Council’s regular meeting from November 4,2024.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Cheesman,to approve the
minutes of the City Council’s executive session meeting from April 15,2024.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
November 18,2024 Page 1 of 8
Holly McDorman,Ward 6,addressed the Council and stated that she has been talking to other
residents,many of whom won’t attend a meeting for fear of not being heard,who feel the
Council is not progressive or accomplished much.She hopes that potential candidates for the
upcoming spring elections will talk to people and find out their needs.She also remarked that
the cold weather is coming and that those that are unhoused will need a place to stay and a
warm meal.She also feels that the Library is a treasure in our community,with the best
employees,and that they deserve all that they have asked for in their budget.
CONSENT AGENDA #2024-20
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will
be enacted by one motion.
24-2028
Approve Resolution 24-25 in support of the submission of a Community Development Block
Grant application to the State of Illinois for storm sewer rehabilitation near South Street and
Monmouth Boulevard in the amount of $4,280.
24-3050
Approve the bid from Wight Chevrolet in the amount of $76,514 for the purchase of two 2025
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 double cab pickup trucks to be utilized by the Engineering Division.
24-4077
Approve waiving normal purchasing policies and approve the fiscal year 2025 Springbrook
maintenance fees for the government-wide software utilized by the City and allow the Director
of Finance to sign the annual maintenance fee order form.
24-5013
Receive the September 30,2024,Investment Schedule.
24-8019
Approve bills in the amount of $422,130.79 and advance checks in the amount of $35,092.70.
Council Member Acerra moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve Consent
Agenda 2024-20.
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
24-1023
November 18,2024 Page 2 of 8
Council Member Acerra moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve Special
Ordinance 24-627 on final reading approving the 2024 Property Tax Levy in the amount of
$10,453,414,which is an increase of 2.66 percent compared to the 2023 tax levy extension.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-1024
Council Member Acerra moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to approve Special
Ordinance 24-628 on final reading approving the 2024 levy for the Special Service Area #1
(Downtown Area)in the amount of $174,250.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-1025
Council Member Acerra moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to discuss this Ordinance
on final reading amending Chapter 118 of the Galesburg Municipal Code amending the
limitation on video gaming licenses and other gaming regulations.
Council Member Acerra moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to table agenda item 24-
1025.
Roll Call #7:
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.)
24-4078
Council Member Davis moved,seconded by Council Member Acerra,to approve an agreement
for John Robertson to provide professional services as an independent Administrative Hearing
Officer for the City in the amount of $200 per hour.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
November 18,2024 Page 3 of 8
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-4079
Council Member Cheesman moved,seconded by Council Member Davis,to extend the
independent auditing services with Baker Tilly for the City’s annual financial audit for the fiscal
year ending December 31,2024,through December 31,2028.
Roll Call #9:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-4080
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Miller,to approve the purchase
of playground equipment from GameTime as part of the 2024 Gametime Community
Champions Playground Grant in the amount of $111,018.30.
Roll Call #10:
Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member Miller,to sit as the Town Board.
The motion carried.
TOWN BUSINESS
24-9024
Trustee Acerra moved,seconded by Trustee Dennis,to approve Ordinance 24-05 on final
reading approving the Township Budget and Appropriation for the fiscal year beginning January
1,2025,and ending December 31,2025,showing the following:
General Town Fund $562,900.00
Audit Fund $19,000.00
Liability Fund $13,200.00
Social Security/Medicare Fund $36,000.00
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)$36,000.00
General Assistance Fund $429,825.00
Total Appropriations $1,096,925.00
Roll Call #11:
Ayes:Trustees Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
November 18,2024 Page 4 of 8
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-9025
Trustee Davis moved,seconded by Trustee White,to approve Ordinance 24-06 on final reading
approving the 2024 Property Tax Levy for the Town of the City of Galesburg in the amount of
$531,000.
Roll Call #12:
Ayes:Trustees Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
24-9026
Trustee Acerra moved,seconded by Trustee Cheesman,to approve Town bills and warrants to
be drawn in payment of same.
Fund Title Amount
Town Fund $9,404.70
General Assistance Fund $6,790.07
IMRF Fund
Social Security/Medicare Fund
Liability Fund
Audit Fund
Total $16,200.77
Roll Call #13:
Ayes:Trustees Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7.
Nays:None
Absent:None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Trustee Dennis moved,seconded by Trustee Miller,to resume as the City Council.The motion
carried.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member Dennis announced that he and other Council Members attended the grand
opening of the beautiful new Lane A.Evans VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic and that
Council Member Cheesman did a great job representing the City Council.He also announced
that the City will be presenting a check to the VFW tomorrow in support of the great work the
organization does in supporting veterans in our community and that everyone is invited to
attend.
November 18,2024 Page 5 of 8
Council Member Miller added that he also attended the VA Clinic opening and that Council
Member Cheesman did a great job.He also encouraged citizens to look on the City ’s website
for winter weather and snow route information.
Council Member White stated that he is a disabled veteran who uses the VA Clinic regularly and
knows most of the employees there personally.He wasn’t able to make it to the opening,but
will be visiting the top-notch facility soon.He also commented that he is looking forward to the
breakfast and presentation at the VFW in the morning.
Council Member White thanked Representative Dan Swanson for taking an idea he had and
running with it.He is very thankful for the work he did honoring the twelve black Galesburg
soldiers who fought for freedom with the famed 54th Massachusetts during the Civil War.He
added that it has been the greatest point of pride he has been involved in to date.He was
accompanied to Springfield by the Mayor,Pastor Antonio Franklin and Jim Jacobs,who has also
put a lot of work into gathering information.He also thanked Owen Muelder and Knox College.
Council Member Acerra stated that she would definitely be at the VFW tomorrow morning as
the veterans have a special place in my heart.She and her husband ran a youth group for years,
and is proud to support them and their mission.She also wanted to say happy early
Thanksgiving to everyone and remind everybody to shop local if they can.Galesburg has so
many great shops downtown,along Henderson Street,Seminary Street and across Galesburg.
She specifically pointed out the bookshop,which even if they don't have a certain book,they
can order it for you.She noted that for people who don't need anything more,maybe buying a
gift certificate for a favorite local restaurant would be ideal.
Council Member Davis appreciated Council Member White's talk about personal experiences
with the VFW and loves getting to hear about personal connections and experiences.She also
wanted to add that November 13-19 is Transgender Awareness Week.
Council Member Cheesman thanked those for getting the wonderful resolution read at the
State House for the 54th Massachusetts and for the representatives who were able to attend
from Galesburg.He also expressed that the grand opening of the VA Clinic was marvelous and
though he is not a veteran,he takes his dad out there and the care they show is tremendous.
Also,he believes the City’s ability to help the VFW is an incredible thing and that he is old
enough to recall our veterans,especially those that came back from Vietnam,were treated
terribly.
Council Member Cheesman added that he is looking forward to the work with the Housing
Study so that the City can do things to help move forward since housing is such an important
part of everyone’s lives.He also announced that at the high school,there is a group called
Foster's Voice,which is a group that helps students with suicide awareness and education,
which is a message that is imperative to be shared.Also,while our community does a great job
with this,there are a lot of food drives and other kinds of movements at this time of the year to
try to help those that are in need and with gifts,food,coats,etc.He asked everyone to please
think about those in need and to be involved if they can.
November 18,2024 Page 6 of 8
Council Member Hix reiterated that the event at the opening of the Lane A.Evans VA Clinic was
very nice and thanked Council Member Cheesman for handling the comments for the City.He
added that one of the most interesting things about that event was the recognition of the
102-year-old soldier that was a prisoner in World War II in Japan for three and a half years.He
also stated that his wife,who works at the Clinic actually takes care of him when he goes there,
and has told him stories about meeting him.He will also be attending the VFW event in the
morning.Council Member Hix also wanted to add that he had the opportunity to play Frisbee
golf recently and commented that Director Don Miles and the Parks &Recreation Department
did an excellent job with the course.
Mayor Schwartzman reported that it was great to see the participation in these very special
events related to our veterans.He also announced that it is also Native American Heritage
Month as well.He commented that he was also in attendance in Springfield for the phenomenal
event of Representative Swanson reading the resolution on behalf of the 54th Massachusetts.
He added that Council Member White and he have both posted that speech on their Facebook
pages and noted that it was a really powerful event for those who attended.
The Mayor reiterated that November 30,2024,is Small Business Saturday and encouraged
residents to support our local small businesses,including our downtown and all the small
businesses that benefit from our patronage.He also reported that he had a meeting with the
Hunger Collaborative,an organization that was formed through the Galesburg Community
Foundation,and has been gifted over $2.2 million in grants recently.There is a lot of great work
that's being done through that organization and he hopes to get that word out in conjunction
with the Community Foundation.The Mayor stated that he has been hearing the concerns
people have around mental health in our community and that there was a report issued by
Bridgeway a few months ago,that is posted on his website,that has a lot of great information.
With that information in hand,he wanted to announce that on Thursday,December 5th,6:00
p.m.there will be a public forum on mental health be held at the Public Library.A press release
will be sent out soon as well.
There being no further business,Council Member Acerra moved,seconded by Council Member
Dennis,to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:37 p.m.
Roll Call #14:
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
November 18,2024 Page 7 of 8
Kelli R.Bennewitz,City Clerk
November 18,2024 Page 8 of 8