Galesburg public meetings in 2023

December 18 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council meeting

The Galesburg City Council will hold final readings on ordinances to opt out of the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act, amend demolition procedures for dangerous properties, and restrict parking near Monroe Street and Hackberry Road. They will also consider bids for a golf course bridge, playground equipment, and mowers, plus agreements to support Smokin' Willies BBQ at 161 N. Cherry Street. Several items are on the consent agenda, including property tax abatement and policy updates.

• Ordinance to opt out of Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act (final reading)
• Ordinance amending Chapter 94 to allow expedited demolition of dangerous properties (final reading)
• Bid: $80,000 to Sinacola, LLC for Bunker Links Golf Course bridge replacement
• Bid: $36,443 to Team Reil, Inc. for playground equipment at Dale Kelley Park
• Agreements with Smokin' Willies BBQ, LLC: $62,400 revolving loan, $18,991.39 facade grant, $26,135.87 TIF incentive

December 4 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council meeting

The Galesburg City Council will hold public hearings on a housing rehabilitation grant, lead remediation grants, and the FY 2024 township budget, then vote on the FY 2024 city budget, a salary schedule, and several ordinances. They will also consider authorizing initial steps to demolish 239 S. Cherry Street and an option agreement for sale of properties at 465 and 473 Mulberry Street. Several bids and agreements for services like chlorine, pest control, and asbestos inspection are on the consent agenda.

• FY 2024 budget: revenues $72,584,070, expenditures $85,309,185, general fund use of fund balance $686,560
• Ordinance to authorize option agreement for sale of 465 & 473 Mulberry St (final reading)
• Ordinance to opt out of Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act (first reading)
• Ordinance to amend Chapter 94 to allow expedited demolition of dangerous properties (first reading)
• Purchase of five license plate recognition cameras from Flock Group for $19,750 (tabled)

November 20 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council meeting

The Galesburg City Council is holding a public hearing on the FY 2024 budget and will vote on several final-reading ordinances, including the 2023 property tax levy of $10,182,235, a 10-year extension of the downtown Special Service Area #1 tax, and the dissolution of the Regency TIF 3. They will also consider first-reading items like an option agreement for 465 & 473 Mulberry St and resolutions for property purchases, a fire sprinkler grant program, and PFAS settlement participation. The agenda includes consent items for bulk rock salt purchase and Springbrook maintenance fees, plus miscellaneous approvals for a non-binding letter with Bywater Development, a Hope Cemetery funding agreement, LPR cameras, and a settlement.

• Property tax levy of $10,182,235 (final reading)
• 10-year extension of $1.50 Special Service Area #1 tax (final reading)
• Dissolution of Regency TIF 3 (final reading)
• Option agreement for sale of 465 & 473 Mulberry St (first reading)
• Purchase of 1409 E. Main St, 58 N. Pearl St, and 203 Lake St from Knox County Trustee for $813 per parcel

November 6 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council meeting

The Galesburg City Council is meeting to consider a range of items, including final approval of a flag policy restricting flags on city property, an ordinance to use bond proceeds for street projects and a community center, and first readings of tax levies and a TIF dissolution. They will also review bids, grants, and other administrative actions.

• Final reading: Flag policy limiting flags on city property to US, Illinois, city seal, POW/MIA, and military/government flags
• Final reading: Amending GO Bonds Series 2023 to allocate $550,000 for Irwin Street storm sewer/street reconstruction, $1,950,000 for asphalt resurfacing, $2,500,000 for community center
• First reading: 10-year extension of $1.50 Special Service Area #1 tax for downtown
• First reading: 2023 property tax levy of $10,088,040 (3.92% increase)
• Bid: $62,115 to Sullivan Door Company for salt shed overhead door replacement

October 30 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council work session

The Galesburg City Council is holding a work session to discuss the FY24 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. This is a presentation and discussion item, not a final vote. The meeting includes public comment and is viewable on Comcast channel 7 or the city's website.

• Discussion of FY24 Budget
• Discussion of Capital Improvement Plan

October 24 2023 - Planning and Zoning Commission meeting

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on a minor plat for the Greenspace Subdivision, which would create two lots from city-owned property at 905 Maple Ave. The commission will also receive citizen comments and updates on past items. The agenda includes approval of the September 19, 2023 meeting minutes.

• Public hearing PZ-23-1001: Minor Plat for Greenspace Subdivision at 905 Maple Ave, creating two lots (8.28 and 6.62 acres)
• Approval of minutes from September 19, 2023 meeting
• Update on past Planning and Zoning Commission items
• General citizen comments

October 16 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council meeting

The Galesburg City Council is meeting to consider several items, including a first reading of a flag policy that would restrict flags on city property, a resolution on the property tax levy, and approval of a $562,000 grant for demolishing abandoned properties. They will also vote on contracts for IT services, winter shelter operations, and software, as well as initiating demolition for nine properties deemed dangerous.

• Resolution accepting $562,000 IHDA Strong Communities Program grant for demolition and debris removal
• Ordinance (first reading) to amend flag policy, limiting flags on city property to U.S., Illinois, city seal, and POW/MIA flags
• Resolution to not exceed 105% of 2022 property tax levy extension
• Approval of $60,000 grant agreement with Knox County Housing Authority for winter shelter services
• Initiation of demolition for nine properties, including 435 N Broad, 340 N Broad, 861 E South, 246 S Whitesboro, 325 S Chambers, 163 W Mary, 272 N Broad, 484 N Cherry, and 1970 E Main

October 2 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council meeting

The Galesburg City Council will hold final readings on ordinances establishing a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for Grand Avenue, annexing a property, selling city-owned property, and adopting a remote attendance policy. They will also consider a consent agenda with bids for vehicles, equipment, and demolition, plus a new city manager contract and other resolutions.

• Final reading of ordinances to create TIF 6 Grand Ave redevelopment project area
• Bid for three 2025 Freightliner cab/chassis at $235,354.00
• Bid for five 2024 Ford F350 pickup trucks at $194,460.00
• Demolition bid for 91 West Simmons Street at $119,300.00
• City manager contract with Eric Hanson: $185,000 annual salary plus benefits

September 25 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council work session

The Galesburg City Council work session on September 25, 2023, includes a discussion of the Township Decennial Committee and a presentation and discussion of the preliminary FY 24 budget. The agenda is otherwise limited to routine items such as roll call, pledge, public comment, and adjournment.

• Discussion: Township Decennial Committee
• Presentation & Discussion: Preliminary FY 24 Budget

September 19 2023 - Planning and Zoning Commission meeting

The Galesburg Planning and Zoning Commission will hold public hearings on three variance requests: a second sign for Faith United Methodist Church at 120 N Kellogg St, a reduced side yard setback for a new garage at 1764 Bluebird Dr, and multiple variances for an accessory garage and buildings at 2149 N Broad St. The Development Review Committee recommends approval for all three. The commission will also approve minutes from the August 22 meeting and receive citizen comments.

• Variance to allow a second free-standing sign at 120 N Kellogg St (Faith United Methodist)
• Variance to reduce side yard setback from 10 to 7 feet for a garage at 1764 Bluebird Dr
• Variance to allow a 2,520 sq ft accessory garage (instead of 2,000) at 2149 N Broad St
• Variance to allow 5 accessory buildings instead of 3 at 2149 N Broad St
• Variance to allow an accessory building height of 20 feet instead of 18 feet at 2149 N Broad St

September 18 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council meeting

The Galesburg City Council will hold first readings on ordinances to establish a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district on Grand Avenue, annex a property at 695 Knox Hwy 10, sell city-owned property at 905 Maple Ave, and adjust parking restrictions near schools. They will also consider final readings on the annual sale of retired property and parking time limit changes, plus several business assistance grants and a facade grant.

• First reading of three ordinances to create TIF 6 Grand Ave redevelopment project area
• First reading to annex 695 Knox Hwy 10 (5.22 acres, currently zoned B2)
• First reading to sell portion of 905 Maple Ave (former Churchill Junior High School) via sealed bids opening Nov 6, 2023
• Final reading to revise school-day parking time limits on Fremont St and Hawkinson Ave to 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Approval of $10,000 startup grants for Bella Vida Hair Studio, Double Play, and Vibrant Life Coaching; $10,050 facade grant for Ducky's Formal Wear

September 5 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council meeting

The Galesburg City Council will consider hiring retired Police Chief John Schlaf as interim city manager, purchasing a dilapidated property at 215 N. Academy Street for demolition, and approving several ordinances and agreements. The agenda includes first readings on selling retired property, changing school-day parking limits, and amending meeting order. The council will also vote on consent items, including a housing grant application and investment schedule.

• Interim City Manager contract with John Schlaf at $6,150 biweekly
• Purchase of 215 N. Academy from Knox County Trustee for $823
• Supplemental resolution for McClure Street Reconstruction, final cost $399,945.05
• Ordinance to revise school-day parking limits on Fremont Street and Hawkinson Avenue to 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Indemnity agreements for demolition work at 140-144 E. Main Street

August 28 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council work session

The Galesburg City Council is holding a work session to discuss the winter warming shelter. The agenda includes public comment and a discussion item on the shelter, with no formal votes scheduled.

• Discussion of winter warming shelter

August 22 2023 - Planning and Zoning Commission meeting

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on a variance request from Galesburg 650 Solar, LLC to use gravel instead of asphalt or concrete for an access drive at 1510 Knox Rd 650 E. The Development Review Committee recommends approval. The commission will also approve minutes from the July 18 meeting and receive citizen comments.

• Public hearing on variance to allow gravel access drive at 1510 Knox Rd 650 E (PIN 90-19-100-001)
• Variance requested for solar project on 17.48 acres in Galesburg Business Park
• Development Review Committee recommends approval of the variance
• Approval of minutes from July 18, 2023 meeting

August 21 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council meeting

The Galesburg City Council will hold a public hearing on a 10-year extension of Special Service Area Number One, then consider consent agenda items, ordinances, resolutions, and bids. Key decisions include final approval of the Irwin Street bond ordinance, a resolution committing funds for a community center, grant applications for sidewalks and a park, and a demolition bid for 140-144 E. Main Street. The meeting also includes several routine approvals such as contracts and a salary reclassification.

• Public hearing on 10-year extension of Special Service Area Number One
• Ordinance authorizing $550,000 for Irwin Street storm sewer and street reconstruction (final reading)
• Resolution committing funds equal to Irwin Street project costs for a community center
• Bid for demolition of 140-144 E. Main Street to Neidig Trucking & Excavating, not to exceed $332,370
• Contract with James Kelly Law Firm, PC for City Attorney legal services at $115,000 per year

August 7 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council meeting

The agenda for the Galesburg City Council meeting on August 7, 2023, could not be read because the PDF file contains repeated parsing errors. No agenda items, decisions, or discussions can be reported from this document.

July 31 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council work session

The Galesburg City Council is holding a work session on July 31, 2023, at City Hall. The agenda includes public comment and a presentation and discussion on police and fire pensions. No votes or decisions are listed on this agenda.

• Presentation and discussion on police and fire pensions

July 17 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council meeting

The Galesburg City Council will vote on several infrastructure and technology contracts, including a $635,425.81 bid for Irwin Street reconstruction, a solar power purchase agreement for the West Main Street Pumping Station, and fiber optic installation at city facilities. The agenda also includes bids for a Lake Storey walking path, parking lot seal coating, and rejection of a bid for 905 Maple Avenue. A public hearing on a proposed TIF district for Grand Avenue is scheduled before the meeting.

• Bid for Irwin Street reconstruction: $635,425.81 to Gunther Construction
• Solar PPA with Solential Energy for West Main Street Pumping Station, projected $773,289 savings over 25 years
• Fiber optic installation at Hawthorne Pool, Forestry building, East Linwood Cemetery: $48,160.00
• Lake Storey walking path widening: $72,416.38 to Gunther Construction
• Rejection of sole $100 bid for 905 Maple Avenue

July 12 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council work session

The Galesburg City Council is meeting for a work session that consists almost entirely of procedural items: roll call, pledge, public comment, and a closed-door executive session. The executive session is to discuss employee appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal, and to approve the June 12, 2023 executive session minutes. No other business is listed on the agenda.

• Closed executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) for employee matters
• Approval of June 12, 2023 executive session minutes under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21)

June 26 2023 - Galesburg, IL City Council work session

The Galesburg City Council work session includes presentations and discussions on two topics: Automated License Plate Readers and the Community Center Task Force. No votes are scheduled; this is a discussion-only work session.

• Presentation and discussion of Automated License Plate Readers
• Discussion of Community Center Task Force