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Home My WebLink About121624 City Council Meeting MinutesGalesburg City Council Regular Meeting City Council Chambers 55 West Tompkins Street,Galesburg,Illinois December 16,2024 6:00 p.m. Called to order by Deputy Mayor Steve Cheesman at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call #1:Present:Deputy Mayor Steve Cheesman,Council Members Bradley Hix,Wayne Dennis,Evan Miller,Dwight White,and Heather Acerra,6.Absent:Mayor Peter Schwartzman and Sarah Davis,2.Also Present:City Manager Eric Hanson,City Attorney Dan Alcorn,and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz. Deputy Mayor Cheesman declared a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Deacon Michael Crummer gave the invocation. Council Member Sarah Davis entered the meeting at 6:03 p.m. Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve the minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting from December 6,2024. Roll Call #2: Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared the motion carried. 24-2029 Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve Resolution 24-26 naming the Galesburg Regional Airport in honor of Harrel W.Timmons. Roll Call #3: Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared the motion carried. Deputy Mayor Cheesman presented the resolution to Mr.Timmons,who thanked the City for this distinguished honor and added his appreciation for the working relationship he has had with the City and its airport employees over the years.He also thanked his family and friends who were in attendance. PUBLIC COMMENT December 16,2024 Page 1 of 6 CONSENT AGENDA #2024-22 All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. 24-4089 Approve the City’s Annual Financial Policies. 24-4090 Approve the City’s updated Investment Policy. 24-4091 Approve a contract with Midwest Group Benefits as the City’s new Section 125 Cafeteria Plan provider beginning January 1,2025. 24-5015 Receive the Strategic Planning Final Report and Executive Summary Report. 24-8021 Approve bills in the amount of $492,641.13 and advance checks in the amount of $981,238.82. Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Acerra,to approve Consent Agenda 2024-22. 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 24-1026 Council Member Miller moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve Ordinance 24-3744 on final reading amending the property at 40 East Simmons Street from I,Institutional, to B3,Central Business District. Roll Call #5: Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared the motion carried. 24-2030 Council Member Hix moved,seconded by Council Member Acerra,to approve the following Resolutions abating property tax on General Obligation Bonds: December 16,2024 Page 2 of 6 1.Approve Resolution 24-27 to abate property tax on General Obligation Bond,Ordinance 2013-3418,Series 2013A (Abatement-$119,480) 2.Approve Resolution 24-28 to abate property tax on General Obligation Refunding Bond, Ordinance 2015-3484,Series 2015 (Abatement-$624,963) 3.Approve Resolution 24-29 to abate property tax on General Obligation Bond,Ordinance 2016-3508,Series 2016 (Abatement-$651,513) 4.Approve Resolution 24-30 to abate property tax on General Obligation Bond,Ordinance 2017-3540,Series 2017 (Abatement-$713,356) 5.Approve Resolution 24-31 to abate property tax on General Obligation Bond,Ordinance 2023-3692,Series 2023 (Abatement $717,250). Roll Call #6: Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared the motion carried. BIDS,PETITIONS,AND COMMUNICATIONS CITY MANAGER’S REPORT City Manager Hanson wanted to recognize staff who worked on Saturday due to the ice event, which was a challenge for Public Works,Parks and Public Safety.He appreciates everyone’s efforts to keep things as safe as possible.He also wanted to take a moment to thank both the staff and Council as tonight’s meeting concludes the calendar and fiscal year.He appreciates the opportunity to serve with the staff members and for the Council and residents.He believes 2024 has been a good year,and he’s looking forward to an even better year in 2025 and appreciates the Council allowing him the honor to serve in this capacity. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (AGREEMENTS,APPROVALS,ETC.) 24-4092 Council Member Davis moved,seconded by Council Member Acerra,to approve a change order request for the Dispatch Software and Hardware Project with CTS Software in the amount of $18,180. Roll Call #7: Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared the motion carried. 24-4093 Council Member Acerra moved,seconded by Council Member Dennis,to approve a Phase II engineering agreement in the amount of $79,081 for the Lake Storey Multi-Use Path project. Roll Call #8: Ayes:Council Members Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7. December 16,2024 Page 3 of 6 Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared the motion carried. Council Member Davis moved,seconded by Council Member Acerra,to sit as the Town Board. The motion carried. TOWN BUSINESS Deputy Mayor Cheesman reported that an important function of the Township is to provide General Assistance to residents who are going through a financial hardship.General Assistance is designed to be a safety net after all other resources have been exhausted. As of January 1,2025,the General Assistance grant maximum will be $439 per month.To apply for assistance,Galesburg residents can pick up an application at the Office of General Assistance,121 W.Tompkins Street,Galesburg,IL during office hours:Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.Individuals can also call their office at 343-9059 to discuss their situation and eligibility. 24-9028 Trustee Davis moved,seconded by Trustee Acerra,to approve Town bills and warrants to be drawn in payment of same. Fund Title Amount Town Fund $8,130.31 General Assistance Fund $10,706.76 IMRF Fund Social Security/Medicare Fund Liability Fund Audit Fund Total $18,837.07 Roll Call #9: Ayes:Trustees Hix,Dennis,Miller,White,Acerra,Davis,and Cheesman,7. Nays:None Absent:None Chairman declared the motion carried. Trustee Davis moved,seconded by Trustee Acerra,to resume as the City Council.The motion carried. CLOSING COMMENTS Council Member Hix congratulated Harrel Timmons on his honor and noted that his father-in-law was the air traffic controller and station chief at the Airport,so he has known December 16,2024 Page 4 of 6 Harrel for many years.He also has had the honor of working with him when the City developed the Airport Commission.He thanked him for what he has done for our community and believes the Airport is the gem of our community.He added that he is looking forward to all the positive changes happening in 2025. Council Member Dennis also congratulated Mr.Timmons,and added that he remembers when he had a hand in bringing the Blue Angels to Galesburg.He thanked him for his service to our community.He also thanked the City Manager and added that he has enjoyed working with him over the past year and is glad he came to Galesburg. Council Member Miller has enjoyed working with Mr.Timmons and considers it an honor to be part of the Council that was able to name the Airport after him.He also thanked the City staff, such as the Street Division,Water Division,and others,for a great year.He added that City Manager Hanson has done a fantastic job and that as a Council,they have come together this year and accomplished a lot of good things.He is proud to be a part of this City Council and is looking forward to 2025. Council Member White stated that he does not know Mr.Timmons very well,but he met him not too long ago,and had heard about him from other people.As he watched him give his speech,he saw a very humble man,which is one of the greatest qualities a human being can have —to be strong in what they do and humble in their heart.He remembers being in the military,flying in and out of the Galesburg airport,which was very important to him at that time.He gave Mr.Hix credit for helping him see how essential it still is today.Through Mr. Timmons,he also met a gentleman who gave him a flight in his biplane and he appreciates Mr. Timmons’giving back to our community.He also noted that behind every good man is a great woman,and acknowledged Harrel’s wife,Judy. Council Member White added that at this Christmas season,there are people hurting and encouraged everyone to take the time to participate in an Angel Tree,or provide a meal,and show the love that our Father in Heaven has shown them.He thanked City Manager Hanson for all that he does and he appreciates the City crews taking care of the streets,especially with the ice on Saturday.He expressed that he attended a Filipino Christmas program this past weekend that Council Member Miller also attended,and had a great time,and it was another opportunity where you could find people giving.He wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Council Member Acerra stated that it was a great honor to be able to vote to name the airport in honor of Harrel Timmons.Having grown up in Galesburg,she is very familiar with the airport and she and her husband worked with the Young Marines and would take them to the airport. This gave the kids the opportunity to attend air shows,volunteer and gave them all a great experience.The City is blessed through Harrel’s leadership to have such a great asset and noted that one of the Council’s objectives in the Strategic Plan is to continue to enhance the airport as a community asset. Council Member Acerra also wanted to acknowledge that she feels the City had a good year, and that completing a meeting in under an hour is an accomplishment and is due to effective December 16,2024 Page 5 of 6 leadership.She believes that the City Manager and the rest of the staff have been terrific in that regard,and the willingness of the Council,in spite of their differences,worked together and produced a great Strategic Plan.She feels it ’s going to provide the Council with the guidance to be very effective and obtain their objectives that are going to drive the City forward.She wished everyone a happy holiday season. Council Member Davis noted that she will be Mrs.Carrington before the year is out.She added that as a more recent Galesburg transplant,she hasn’t gotten the chance to know Mr.Timmons, but has heard from others about how much he has had an impact on this community.She is a native to a small town in Illinois and recalls growing up with those sorts of local idols and it warms her heart each time the Council gets the opportunity to honor local heroes and recognize the good that they've done for our community.She also thanked Council Member White for his comment about giving and thinks it’s something we can all do as a way to have an impact on our community.She hopes everyone has a wonderful holiday season. Deputy Mayor Cheesman stated that many times he has said that the most valuable part of our community is its citizens,and Mr.Timmons is one of those.This is certainly a worthy recognition of all that he means to our community,as well as being a true aviation icon.He thanked Mr. Timmons’family and congratulated them as well,having gotten to know many of them through school and throughout the community. The Deputy Mayor thanked Mrs.Bennewitz,Mrs.Gugliotta,and City Manager Hansen,for their assistance in helping him get organized in terms of running and executing this meeting.As 2024 comes to an end,he wanted to commend the Council,City administration and staff for the productive and excellent work that they have done for Galesburg.Not all of it gets publicized or seen,but there are many things that have been done for our community and citizens,and that's because of the commitment and care everyone has made to this great community.He noted that we cannot rest on these successes as there's still much to do.He is looking forward to the Council continuing to roll up their sleeves and working with everyone to get more accomplished this coming year.He wished everyone a happy holiday season,a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. There being no further business,Council Member Dennis moved,seconded by Council Member White,to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:40 p.m. Roll Call #10: 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 December 16,2024 Page 6 of 6