HomeMy WebLinkAboutNov 17, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
November 17, 2025 Page 1 of 7
5:50 p.m. Public Hearing: FY 2026 City of Galesburg Budget
Public Hearing: FY 2026 Township Budget
Galesburg City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois
November 17, 2025
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 Wendel Hunigan, Evan Miller,
Dwight White, Heather Acerra, Greg Saul, and Steve Cheesman, 7. Absent: Council Member
Angelica Mangieri, 1. Also Present: City Manager Eric Hanson, City Attorney Dan Alcorn, and
Deputy City Clerk Ericka Gugliotta.
Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Deacon Michael Crummer gave the invocation.
Council Member Saul moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to approve the minutes of
the City Council’s regular meeting from November 3, 2025.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes: Council Members Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Mangieri, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Pastor James A. Hailey of Allen Chapel AME thanked everyone who attended the fish fry held at
the Allen Chapel AME on Veterans Day. Hailey also thanked those who attended the Chapel’s
Anniversary Celebration which included many City Council Members. The event was a great
success and he has hopes for an even better turnout next year.
Deborah Moreno, Editor-In-Chief, Galesburg Community News (GCN), addressed the Council on
behalf of the GCN founding board and reporting team. Moreno explained that the goal of the
Galesburg Community News is to provide local coverage focusing on local government,
education, arts and events. Since the launch of GCN, they have seen tremendous growth in
engagement from citizens who want more local reporting. GCN hopes to build strong
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relationships with the City’s departments and thanked the Galesburg Police Department for
providing daily reports.
Bruce Cook spoke to the Council addressing a term he’s heard a lot lately, white privilege. Cook
stated the term applies to him because he is white despite not understanding the term or
experiencing it. Mr. Cook knows what racism is, and does not understand it, however, he does
understand hate. To hate someone because of their skin color or ethnic background is something
he’s never understood. Except for the radicals on both ends of the spectrum, most people want
to live together in peace. Cook believes this will never happen if we are creating labels. He stated
he is an individual and refuses to accept a label or to be put in a box. Mr. Cook added that he has
come to terms with someone hating him without knowing him. Lastly, Cook noted that some
might think he is part of the problem because he is not actively working to solve racism. He
cannot solve something he doesn’t understand.
CONSENT AGENDA #2025-22
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will
be enacted by one motion.
25-3046
Approve the bid summitted by Knapheide Truck Equipment in the amount of $85,035 for the
purchase and installation of a dump body, snowplow, and salt spreader for the Park Division.
25-3047
Approve the bid from D&T Demolition LLC in the amount of $129,340 for the demolition and
clean-up of 224-240 South Seminary Street.
25-4070
Approve the lease agreement with Jefferson Lines to use the depot at Colton Park, 225 South
Seminary Street for intercity bus service.
25-4071
Approve a service contract between the City of Galesburg Public Transportation and the
Galesburg Rescue Mission to provide discounted pricing on both single and punch passes for the
fixed route system.
25-4072
Approve a service contract between the City of Galesburg Public Transportation and Safe Harbor
to provide discounted pricing on both single and punch passes for the fixed route system.
25-4073
Approve a service contract between the City of Galesburg Public Transportation and the Salvation
Army to provide discounted pricing on both single and punch passes for the fixed route system.
November 17, 2025 Page 3 of 7
25-4074
Approve a service contract between the City of Galesburg Public Transportation and Thrive
Community Service to provide discounted pricing on both single and punch passes for the fixed
route system.
25-8021
Approve bills in the amount of $1,082,422.17 and advance checks in the amount of $20,471.92.
Council Member White moved, seconded by Council Member Saul, to approve Consent Agenda
2025-22
Roll Call #3:
Ayes: Council Members Hunigan, Miller, White, Saul, and Cheesman, 5.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Mangieri, 1.
Abstain: Council Member Acerra, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried by omnibus vote.
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
25-1018
Council Member Acerra moved, seconded by Council Member Saul, to approve Special Ordinance
25-631 on final reading approving the 2025 Property Tax Levy in the amount of $10,871,732,
which is a 4% increase compared to the 2024 tax levy extension.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes: Council Members Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Mangieri, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
25-1019
Council Member Cheesman moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to approve Special
Ordinance 25-632 on final reading approving the 2025 levy for the Special Service Area #1
(Downtown Area) in the amount of $166,875.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes: Council Members Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Mangieri, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
25-1020
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Special Ordinance on first reading authorizing the sale of surplus firearms from the Police
Department. These firearms, including pistols and rifles will be sold through a licensed federal
firearms dealer (FFL).
BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (AGREEMENTS, APPROVALS, ETC.)
25-4075
Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member Saul, to approve the
recommendation by the Landmark Commission designating 325 North Prairie Street as a local
landmark.
Council Member Acerra expressed her gratitude to the City Council’s consideration to approve
the designation of her home, 325 North Prairie Street, as a local landmark. Acerra stated that
they have used their own funds to refurbish the home back to its original state and will see no
financial gain from designating the property as a local landmark.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes: Council Members Hunigan, Miller, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 5.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Mangieri, 1.
Abstain: Council Member White, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
25-4076
Council Member Saul moved, seconded by Council Member Miller, to approve two agreements
for Administration Adjudication Hearing Officers; one with H. Wayne Statham as the primary
officer and another with John Robertson of Barash & Everett, LLC as the substitute officer.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes: Council Members Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Mangieri, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
25-4077
Council Member Acerra moved, seconded by Council Member Cheesman, to approve a two-year
tourism agreement between the City of Galesburg and the Galesburg Tourism and Visitors
Bureau (GTVB) from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. The City will allocate $190,000
annually from hotel-motel tax revenues to support GTVB’s tourism marketing program.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes: Council Members Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 6.
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Nays: None.
Absent: Council Member Mangieri, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
25-4078
Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member White, to waive normal purchasing
policies and approve the 2026 maintenance fees in the amount totaling $92,982.73 for
Springbrook government-wide software used by the City.
Roll Call #9:
Ayes: Council Members Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Mangieri, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Council Member Saul moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, that the City Council sit as
the Town Board. The motion carried by voice vote.
TOWN BUSINESS
25-9028
Ordinance of first reading approving the Township Budget and Appropriation for the fiscal year
beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2026:
General Town Fund $747,860.00
General Assistance Fund $436,325.00
25-9029
Ordinance of first reading approving the 2025 Property Tax Levy for the Town of The City of
Galesburg in the amount of $531,000.
25-9030
Trustee Acerra moved, seconded by Trustee Saul, to approve Town bills and warrants to be drawn
in payment of same.
Fund Title Amount
Town Fund $9,987.44
General Assistance Fund $7,868.25
IMRF Fund
Social Security/Medicare Fund $4,217.58
Liability Fund
Audit Fund
Total $22,073.27
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Roll Call #10:
Ayes: Trustees Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Mangieri, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Trustee Saul moved, seconded by Trustee Miller, to resume as the City Council. The motion
carried.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member Acerra wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Acerra also stated she visited
Knox County Community Artisan (KCCA). The business is a 13,000 square foot facility that offers
education and training for various woodworking techniques. She stated that KCCA offers
different memberships for people to learn new skills.
Council Member Saul wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Council Member Cheesman stated that there are many accomplishments that our community
can be grateful for during the Thanksgiving holiday, such as the City’s shelter now being open
twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Also, there are many food pantries available to the
community, most of which need volunteers.
Cheesman recognized the many local businesses, highlighting Lindstrom’s TV and Appliances and
Templeton Roofing who are both celebrating mile marker anniversaries. Cheesman expressed
his appreciation for all the citizens who are making positive changes in the community.
Council Member Hunigan announced that the City along with the Western Illinois Regional
Council (WIRC) will be accepting applications for home repairs, replacement roofing and
improving accessibility to older homes. These funds were made possible through a $600,000
grant awarded to the City through the Illinois Housing Development Agency’s Home Repair and
Accessibility Program.
The program focuses on owner occupied homes with low to moderate income. To be eligible for
a grant up to $50,000, homeowners must be current on their property taxes and have no liens
on their property. If anyone is interested they can contact Steve Gugliotta, Director of
Community or WIRC. Hunigan added that if anyone needs assistance with the application, he is
also available for assistance.
Hunigan reported that since 2019, 197 homes have been repaired through various grants totaling
four million dollars in funding.
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Hunigan stated he attended the party held by Mayor Schwartzman celebrating Galesburg
accomplishments and congratulated Allen Chapel AME on their 172nd anniversary.
Council Member Miller stated that the City is working hard to bring jobs to the area as well as
finding ways to address the issue of mental health and the unhoused. Miller wished everyone
safe travel during the holiday season.
Council Member White stated that as a veteran he enjoyed many nice meals on Veterans Day.
White also attended the event held at Wal-Mart recognizing several veterans.
White also stated that he has spent some time with Mr. Cook and respects his point of view and
believes that one day people can move forward. White expressed his concern when watching
people in other cities get hauled away by someone with a mask on and in a military uniform.
What is more concerning, is that the Police are under no obligation to protect them.
Mayor Schwartzman stated that he attended the event at Wal-Mart for Veterans Day. Ten
veterans were given handmade quilts and the City presented two special proclamations.
Schwartzman recognized Linda Howarter for her contributions to Veterans and coordinating the
event.
Schwartzman also enjoyed attending the fish fry at Allen Chapel AME for Veterans Day and hopes
to attend more in the future. Schwartzman also attended The Galesburg Area Chamber of
Commerce Legislative Luncheon where Representative Dan Swanson and Senator Mike Halpin
tackled many difficult questions.
Lastly Mayor Schwartzman thanked Best Western and its staff for hosting his party celebrating
Galesburg. Schwartzman created a slideshow highlighting many accomplishments and that
anyone can view it.
There being no further business, Council Member Saul moved, seconded by Council Member
White, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:54 p.m.
Roll Call #11:
Ayes: Council Members Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 6.
Nays: None
Absent: Council Member Mangieri, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Peter Schwartzman, Mayor
Ericka Gugliotta, Deputy City Clerk