Galesburg City Council Regular Meeting City Council Chambers 55 West Tompkins Street, Galesburg, Illinois September 19, 2016 6:30 p.m. Call to order by Mayor John Pritchard. Roll Call #1: Present: Mayor John Pritchard, Council Members W. Wayne Dennis, Russell Fleming, Corine Andersen, Peter Schwartzman, Wayne Allen, and Jeremy Karlin, 7. Absent: Council Member Angela Bastian, 1. Also present were City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz, City Manager Todd Thompson, and City Attorney Bradley Nolden. The Chairman declared quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Tim Thorson, Salvation Army, gave the invocation. Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Karlin, to approve minutes of the City Council meeting from September 5, 2016. Roll Call #2: Ayes: Council Members Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Allen, and Karlin, 5. Abstain: Council Member Schwartzman, 1. Mayor Pritchard presented a Diaper Need Awareness Proclamation to Lee Ann Porter. Louis Kosiba, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Executive Director, presented the Mayor with a shadow box in honor of Galesburg being one of the first five employers to participate in IMRF when it was started in 1941. City Attorney Brad Nolden opened and read sealed bids for the following City-owned properties: Tract Number Bidder Bid Price 1 Victor Santoyo and Maria Banderas $1,200 Peter Hauslein $2,650 2 Joseph G. Miller $100 3 Darron Steagall $375 4 Darron Steagall $375 5 Bonnie Harris $351 8 Sally De La Cruz $100 9 Robert Smith $600 10 William Arnold $200 12 Darron Steagall $750 Gary Nelson $100 September 19, 2016 Page 1 of 6
13 Mick Maciejewski $101 18 Elvria Hunigan $200 19 Renee Archer $200 39 Timothy Hodge $801 Michael George $100 41 Pamela Davidson $400 42 Nichole & Calvin Bean $250 Timothy Hodge $500 43 Nichole & Calvin Bean $250 Timothy Hodge $300 44 Roy Monzo $539 45 Charles Jackson $100 CONSENT AGENDA #2016-18 All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and is enacted by one motion. 16-2015 Approve Resolution 16-17 in support of an application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Housing Rehabilitation Block grant. 16-5006 Receive June 20, 2016, Investment Schedule. 16-8017 Approve bills in the amount of $1,171,979.23 and advance checks in the amount of $484,678.24. Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Karlin, to approve Consent Agenda 2016-18. Roll Call #3: Chairman declared motion carried by omnibus vote. PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 16-1016 Ordinance on first reading amending section 152.069 (B) of Chapter 152 of the Galesburg Code of Ordinances revising the R1C Single Family Attached Zoning District to allow a Cluster Neighborhood Unit as a permissive use. Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, to suspend the rules and place agenda item 16-1016 on final reading. Roll Call #4: Ayes: Council Members Dennis, Andersen, Allen, Karlin, and Mayor Pritchard, 5. September 19, 2016 Page 2 of 6
Nays: Council Members Fleming and Schwartzman, 2. Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Karlin, to approve Ordinance 16-3523 on final reading amending section 152.069 (B) of Chapter 152 of the Galesburg Code of Ordinances revising the R1C Single Family Attached Zoning District to allow a Cluster Neighborhood Unit as a permissive use. Roll Call #5: 16-1017 Ordinance on first reading setting the salary for the Mayor for the term commencing in May 2017. 16-1018 Ordinance on first reading setting the salary for Council Members for the term commencing in May 2017. 16-1019 Ordinance on first reading setting the salary for City Clerk for the term commencing in May 2017. Council Member Fleming asked that the ordinances be amended to reflect a set amount for the salary. 16-1020 Ordinance on first reading setting the salary for the City Treasurer for the term commencing in May 2017. Council Member Karlin moved, seconded by Council Member Andersen, that an amended ordinance be brought back to Council eliminating the position of City Treasurer and that the position be appointed to an existing staff person by the Mayor and City Council with no salary. Council Member Fleming argued that the position needs to stay due to the requirement that it exist and serve as a safeguard for the separation of duties. He added that a letter from the auditor regarding the position stating that eliminating it was possible but did not reflect that it is in the best interest of the City. He is not in favor of the City Manager and Finance Department having total control over checks and finances. He encouraged Council to bring back a salary ordinance that reflects a full time position whereby it is an elected position. Council Member Karlin stated that Council is reminded every day of the need to save money and reduce the budget deficit. He added that checks and balances are important and believes the City s Finance Department can provide that. He stated that this is a useful and cost cutting measure that does not affect the community. September 19, 2016 Page 3 of 6
Council Member Fleming reiterated that the positions of full-time City Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer should be retained and that more savings would be realized if two positions from the Finance Department were eliminated. City Attorney Brad Nolden explained that in the city manager form of government, the Council can approve an ordinance whereby the elected City Treasurer is appointed. The City Manager noted that several comparable communities have done something similar with the position using different approaches. Roll Call #6: Ayes: Council Members Dennis, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 5. Nays: Council Member Fleming, 1. 16-1021 Ordinance on first reading amending Appendix U of Chapter 77 of the Galesburg Code of Ordinances modifying the limits of the parking restriction on Pearl Street, along the east side between Peck Street and Grove Street. BIDS, PETITIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC COMMENT CITY MANAGER S REPORT A. Fall Clean-Up Days is scheduled for this week, September 19-23, 2016. B. Traffic Advisory Committee report for September 2016 received. C. Approved Special Events: a. Use of Standish Park Gazebo for a wedding on October 8, 2016. b. Use of City streets for the Knox College 5K on October 15, 2016. City Manager Thompson noted that TAC is recommending the installation of a radar feedback sign at the base of the Bickerdyke Bridge on the north approach. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS (Agreements, Approvals, Etc.) 16-4079 Council Member Karlin moved, seconded by Council Member Allen, to approve the final plat of the Lincoln Park North Subdivision. Roll Call #7: September 19, 2016 Page 4 of 6
TOWN BUSINESS Council Member Allen moved, seconded by Council Member Dennis that the City Council sit as the Town Board. The motion carried by voice vote. 16-9027 Trustee Andersen moved, seconded by Trustee Allen, to approve Town bills and warrants be drawn in payment of same. Fund Title Amount Town Fund $4,525.41 General Assistance Fund IMRF Fund Audit Fund 2,688.59 21.70 21.70 Total $7,257.40 Roll Call #8: Ayes: Trustees Dennis, Fleming, Andersen, Schwartzman, Allen, and Karlin, 6. Absent: Trustee Bastian, 1. 16-9028 Ordinance on first reading setting the salary for the Township Supervisor for the term commencing in May 2017. 16-9029 Ordinance on first reading setting the salary for the Township Trustees for the term commencing in May 2017. 16-9030 Ordinance on first reading setting the salary for the Township Clerk for the term commencing in May 2017. 16-9031 Ordinance on first reading setting the salary for the Township Assessor for the term commencing in January 2018. Trustee Allen moved, seconded by Trustee Fleming, that the Town Board resume sitting as the City Council. The motion carried by voice vote. CLOSING COMMENTS Council Member Karlin stated that the Cyclists of Galesburg will host their annual forty mile Three Lakes Ride on October 8, 2016. September 19, 2016 Page 5 of 6
Council Member Allen thanked the Knox College students for attending the City Council meeting and for interviewing Council Members. Council Member Schwartzman reminded the community that the Council has many important decisions coming up including the $2 million deficit, approval of the annual budget, and the Armory discussion. He encouraged discussion and cooperation with our state legislators regarding the fire and police pension problems through the state that is affecting municipalities. He also urged everyone to read the book Local Dollars and Local Sense and noted that food and energy, which is not typically bought local, is a small percentage of our economy but would make a difference if purchased locally. Council Member Schwartzman also stated that he believes spending the entire bond of $3.5 million on streets and sidewalks is short-sided. He would like to see a new Park & Recreation Master Plan developed but would also like to survey the community on where they would like to see the bond money spent in our community. Council Member Andersen also stated her appreciation to the Knox College students for investing their time in coming to the meeting, as well as becoming engaged in the community. Mayor Pritchard asserted that we have a very well trained and competent fire and police command and that the problems with the pension are not caused by them, but instead the rules by which the state mandates their pension system is funded. It is his hope that in the future the state can be convinced to change how investments can be made, similar to IMRF, which would save money for all municipalities. There being no further business, Council Member Dennis moved, seconded by Council Member Schwartzman, to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:25 p.m. Roll Call #9: John Pritchard, Mayor Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk September 19, 2016 Page 6 of 6