HomeMy WebLinkAboutNov 3, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
Galesburg City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois
November 3, 2025
6:00 p.m.
Called to order by Mayor Schwartzman at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call #1: Present: Mayor Peter Schwartzman, Council Members Angelica Mangieri, Wendel
Hunigan, Evan Miller, Dwight White, Heather Acerra, Greg Saul, and Steve Cheesman, 8.
Assistant City Manager Cathy St. George, City Attorney Dan Alcorn, and City Clerk Kelli
Bennewitz.
Mayor Schwartzman declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Reverend James Hailey, Allen Chapel AME, gave the invocation.
Council Member White moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to approve the minutes of
the City Council’s regular meeting from October 20, 2025.
Roll Call #2:
Ayes: Council Members Mangieri, Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Noah Selkirk, identifying himself as an “auditor ”, addressed the Council regarding his experience
with FOIA requests and expressed his frustration with receiving everything except what he
wanted. Selkirk recounted a specific incident where his initial FOIA request on behalf of
someone else was denied because he was told the records didn’t exist. He has a concern for
other citizens' lack of understanding of FOIA law. He stated that he received a FOIA request
where sensitive information was not redacted.
Pastor James A. Hailey of Allen Chapel AME extended an invitation to the City for two upcoming
events. First, on Veterans Day, November 11th, Allen Chapel, located at 153 East Tompkins
Street, will host a free fish fry for all veterans. Non-veterans accompanying veterans are asked
to provide a donation. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Secondly, on November 16th at
3 p.m., Allen Chapel AME, the oldest African American church in the city, established in 1853
will celebrate its anniversary. Reverend Antonio Franklin and the Full Gospel Church, among
others, will be special guests, and the entire City is invited to attend.
November 3, 2025 Page 1 of 8
CONSENT AGENDA #2025-21
All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will
be enacted by one motion.
25-5007
Receive the Municipal Compliance Report for the Galesburg Firefighters’ Pension Fund for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
25-5008
Receive the Municipal Compliance Report for the Galesburg Police Pension Fund for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2024.
25-5009
Receive the Quarterly Investment Schedule as of September 30, 2025.
25-8020
Approve bills in the amount of $392,717.40 and advance checks in the amount of
$1,426,154.51.
Council Member Mangieri moved, seconded by Council Member Cheesman, to approve
Consent Agenda 2025-21.
Roll Call #3:
Ayes: Council Members Mangieri, Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried by omnibus vote.
PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
25-1017
Council Member Saul moved, seconded by Council Member Mangieri, to approve Ordinance
25-3761 on final reading adjusting various rates and fees collected by the City, effective January
1, 2026.
Roll Call #4:
Ayes: Council Members Mangieri, Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
25-1018
Special Ordinance on first reading approving the 2025 Property Tax Levy in the amount of
$10,871,732, which is an increase of 4.00 percent compared to the 2024 tax levy extension.
25-1019
November 3, 2025 Page 2 of 8
Special Ordinance on first reading approve the 2025 levy for the Special Service Area #1 at a flat
rate of $1 per $100 equalized assessed value.
25-2033
Council Member Saul moved, seconded by Council Member Acerra, to approve Resolution
25-28 authorizing the purchase of the property located at 566 Hawthorne Court in the amount
of $813 from the Knox County Trustee.
Roll Call #5:
Ayes: Council Members Mangieri, Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
25-2034
Council Member Miller moved, seconded by Council Member White, to approve Resolution
25-29 authorizing the purchase of the property located at 1217 South Pearl Street in the
amount of $10,000.
Roll Call #6:
Ayes: Council Members Mangieri, Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Council Member Miller noted that the property is in Ward Three and has had numerous
complaints, emphasizing the need for demolition. Council Member Cheesman agreed, noting its
closeness to HT Custer Park and possibility for future development.
BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
A. The 2026 Budget is available for inspection in the City Clerk’s on the City’s website.
B. Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Update
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (AGREEMENTS, APPROVALS, ETC.)
Council Member Saul moved, seconded by Council Member Cheesman, to sit as the Town
Board. The motion carried.
TOWN BUSINESS
25-9025
Trustee White moved, seconded by Trustee Saul, to approve the minutes from the October 14,
2025, Special Meeting.
Roll Call #7:
Ayes: Trustees Mangieri, Hunigan, Miller, White, Saul, and Cheesman, 6.
November 3, 2025 Page 3 of 8
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: Council Member Acerra, 1.
Chairman declared the motion carried.
25-9026
Trustee Acerra moved, seconded by Trustee Mangieri, to approve Resolution 25-02 determining
the 2025 Property Tax Levy, which is not more than 105 percent and therefore will not require a
truth in taxation public hearing. The tax levy request will not exceed $531,000.
Roll Call #8:
Ayes: Trustees Mangieri, Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
25-9027
Trustee Saul moved, seconded by Trustee Mangieri, to approve Town bills and warrants to be
drawn in payment of same.
Fund Title Amount
Town Fund $11,261.45
General Assistance Fund $11,475.48
IMRF Fund $4,079.16
Social Security/Medicare Fund
Liability Fund
Audit Fund
Total $26,816.09
Roll Call #9:
Ayes: Trustees Mangieri, Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Trustee Saul moved, seconded by Trustee Mangieri, to resume as the City Council. The motion
carried.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Council Member Miller stated he had just finished harvesting late today but that he was happy
to be back, mentioning that the Mayor had ridden in the combine with him, providing updates
on missed meetings and developments.
Council Member White expressed his gratitude for the City's long-overdue attention to the
intersection of Tompkins Street and Henderson Street, commending the hard work done. He
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also acknowledged November 11th as Veterans Day, speaking as a Vietnam veteran himself, and
emphasized that young people who experience combat are forever changed. He urged the
community to support veterans, many of whom struggle with homelessness or other life
challenges not of their own choosing, but due to circumstances. He added that veterans
volunteer to fight for their country, and it ’s the community's responsibility to care for them
when they return, as they all carry some form of PTSD.
Council Member Acerra supported Council Member White's comments on veterans, and added
that employers should consider hiring them due to their transferable skills, which can help with
their transition back into civilian life. She reported that the City has made significant efforts to
address concerns regarding the solar project in Castlebury. The Council imposed a moratorium
on developments and approved a new renewable energy ordinance to strengthen local
oversight. The City’s legal counsel explored options to restrict the project, which was delayed for
over six months as City staff worked with the developer to correct the site plan while meeting
state requirements. The City also contacted state legislators and the state authority overseeing
solar project permits but received no indication of intervention.
Council Member Acerra stated that a recent development at the late-night veto session on
Halloween saw the state legislature pass laws, expected to be signed by the governor, which will
significantly impact downstate authority. While these laws have some positive aspects regarding
energy restrictions, they also impose extra fees and make it more difficult for municipalities to
slow down energy-related developments, including solar. Governments will only have 60 days to
act on renewable energy permits before automatic approval applies, severely limiting local
control. She wanted to stress that she believes the City did everything possible and will continue
to advocate for our citizens, but many issues are decided at the state level.
She also noted that another critical issue is the motor fuel tax and transit redistribution. Despite
complaints about our roads and the intended use of fuel tax for maintenance, a new rule passed
in this session which will redistribute these funds. Approximately 85% will go to the Chicago
metro area and the Chicago Transit Authority, with only 15% allocated to the rest of downstate.
Additionally, toll taxes were significantly raised, with these funds being directed to pensions
rather than road maintenance.
Council Member Acerra wanted to reiterate that while the Council appreciates residents holding
them accountable, many decisions that affect the City are made at the state level. She
encouraged citizens to reach out to legislators and consider forming or joining a regional
organization to advocate for downstate interests.
Council Member Saul commended Council Member Hunigan and all the volunteers for their
recent work at Cooke Park. He also mentioned the upcoming Veterans Day and mentioned
attending a ceremony on Sunday for Kyle Worley, commemorating the 20th anniversary of his
passing while serving.
Council Member Cheesman thanked Assistant City Manager St. George for stepping in for City
Manager Hanson and doing an excellent job on short notice. He also expressed deep
November 3, 2025 Page 5 of 8
admiration and credit for all those who have served our country, acknowledging the nation's
problems but emphasizing the many things to be grateful for. He shared a story about a friend
returning from a missionary trip to South America who realized how much our country offers,
attributing this to the service of men and women fighting for our freedoms. He specifically
thanked Council Member White and mentioned his own father, a 96-year-old veteran who
served in Korea, for their service.
Council Member Cheesman stated that he recognized the challenging times we are in
particularly concerning food shortages and insecurity. He praised the numerous organizations,
restaurants, grocery stores, and local food pantries for stepping up to help those in need,
stressing the importance of this continued support. He also reminded the community about
various grants available through the City to assist residents with housing, specifically
low-interest loans or grants for home repairs, and encouraged citizens to contact the
Community Development Department for more information.
He emphasized the Council's collaborative environment, which respects differing views while
seeking consensus. He stated that the Council tries to make the best decisions for the City using
input from citizens, experts, and staff. However, he admitted frustration with being overruled by
higher government, citing the solar project. While no one on the Council opposes solar, staff
and Council Members wish they had more local control over its implementation to address
specific challenges.
Lastly, Council Member Cheesman highlighted the Council's ongoing awareness of taxes, noting
the lowering of the property tax rate in the last couple of years, reaching the lowest rate since
2008.
Council Member Mangieri reported on her recent bus ride and plans to take more trips on
different lines. This is to experience transferring between routes, especially while managing
items like groceries. She noted that her initial experience was positive and that the bus driver
was professional and able to answer all of her questions. She also noted that she personally
works with a grassroots initiative called Community Grow, which focuses on combating food
insecurity in Galesburg. She is aware of the SNAP benefit pauses and has been following the
discussions among local organizations. She strongly encouraged everyone to find an
organization to support by donating food, funds, or time. Donating time is particularly helpful as
food banks and feeding programs are expecting an increase in visitors and will need more
volunteers to ensure smooth operations. Anyone interested in how they can help can reach out
to her via email if they would like recommendations on local organizations that might align with
their interests in the community.
Council Member Hunigan shared his recent, first-time experience using Galesburg's public
transit system, noting that he has lived in the city for over 50 years without ever riding a bus.
His hope was to better understand the state of public transportation specifically regarding its
reliability, speed, comfort, and how it compares to similar communities.
He accepted an invitation from a regular bus user for a four-hour tour of Galesburg's routes,
November 3, 2025 Page 6 of 8
beginning near the high school and included stops at Target, Carl Sandburg College, Walmart,
and downtown. They enjoyed lunch at 156 East Main and shopped at Wordsmith Book Shop.
His assessment of the bus ride was very favorable in terms of its reliability and frequency,
comfortability, and affordability at 60 cents a ride. He also noted that the employees were
professional and very helpful.
Council Member Hunigan stated that the day after the tour, he met with Kraig Boynton, Transit
Manger. He learned that Transit has 35 employees (20 full-time) and a budget of $3 million.
There has been no rate increase since the 1990s and approximately 104,000 people use the bus
service annually, an increase since 2024. Some challenges for Transit include an aging fleet that
is costly to maintain, as well as the need for increased financial assistance from state and federal
government sources. He also noted that the number of agencies served by the bus system has
increased tremendously over the past 10 years. Council Member Hunigan added that he
specifically asked about the policy for carrying multiple bags and Boynton clarified that
passengers can bring as many bags as they want, but they are allowed to only make one trip
from the door with their bags when they get on the bus.
Mayor Schwartzman commented that the increasing spirit of cooperation was making the
closing comments more informative. He also stated that with Veterans Day approaching, he
emphasized the importance of honoring veterans not just on November 11th, but every day. He
recognized that many veterans in the community are struggling, often due to their service, and
stressed the community's responsibility to care for them. He shared that both of his
grandfathers volunteered and served—one in World War I and one in World War II—and
expressed his respect and admiration for their service. He mentioned upcoming events,
including the fish fry at Allen Chapel AME and a ceremony at Walmart, scheduled to start at
9:00 a.m.
Regarding community concerns about food, the Mayor shared that he attended a recent
meeting called by a local minister, which included many concerned parties and nonprofits
working on food security in our community. He acknowledged the tremendous volunteer effort
dedicated to ensuring everyone is fed. He specifically praised the school district for its
commitment, noting that Galesburg's public school system provides free breakfast and lunch for
all children. He encouraged citizens to contribute and volunteer, stating that a collective effort
can ensure no one goes hungry.
Mayor Schwartzman welcomed the new and returning students in attendance, and encouraged
them to be active participants in the community. He thanked the volunteers for the recent
event at Cooke Park, pointing out that the City's website now features a photograph from
Saturday's tree-planting. He added that though he was unable to attend, it was great to see so
many young people volunteering for the planting early that morning.
There being no further business, Council Member Saul moved, seconded by Council Member
White, to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:43 p.m.
Roll Call #10:
Ayes: Council Members Mangieri, Hunigan, Miller, White, Acerra, Saul, and Cheesman, 7.
Nays: None
November 3, 2025 Page 7 of 8
Absent: None
Chairman declared the motion carried.
Peter D. Mayor Schwartzman, Mayor
Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk
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