Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the regularly scheduled meeting of the Galesburg City Council. Today is Monday, December the 16th, and our meeting will begin here right now at 6 o'clock. We will now call the roll for attendance. Thank you, Your Honor. Councilmember Hicks? I'm back. Dennis? Here. Miller? Here. White? Here. Achera? Here. Davis? Cheeseman? Here. Mayor Schwartzman? Six are present, Your Honor. For all of you that are able, please stand up and join me in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. If you could remain standing now, Deacon Michael Crummer will give our invocation. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Cheeseman. Let us pray. Dear God, we seek your help with our affairs this evening. Bless this meeting with your divine intelligence and help us to make the best use of our own. We are of diverse opinion here, yet we wish to mend our differences and reach agreement satisfactory to all. Please share a little of your wisdom with us to help us do right by all concerned, knowing that our decisions impact those whom we serve. Guide our hearts and our minds in the spirit of fairness, right thought, and speech. Keep us, Lord, from pettiness. Let us be large in thoughts, in word, and in deed. Let us be done with fault finding and self-seeking. Help us to show our appreciation for the special abilities and energy each of our colleagues bring. Grant us the wisdom to know what to say, compassion to say it honestly, and the openness to hear the things we perhaps do not want to hear. May our words heal and not hurt. May our sharing be done with kindness as we respect those around us. Please grant that within this group, there might be the kind of attitude that will allow us to face our challenges as one body, serving the common good for our community. And finally, most loving Father, going forward, help us to have the courage to demonstrate our uncompromising belief in the personal worth and dignity of each person we call constituent and resident, as well as each person we call colleague, by our words as well as by our actions. Amen. And may the Lord be with you. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. God's peace be with you all. Thank you, Deacon Kremer. Okay, it is time on the agenda to take a look at our minutes from our Monday, December 2nd, 2024 meeting. If I can get a motion to accept those in a second. So moved. Okay, Mr. Miller for a motion and Mr. Dennis a second. Any discussion on those minutes? If there is none, Ms. Benowitz will now call roll. Hicks, yes. Dennis, yes. Miller, yes. White, yes. Achera, yes. Davis, yes. Cheeseman, yes. Seven vote yes, Your Honor. Thank you very much. We have moved an agenda item forward in our agenda tonight for the sake of we have a number of visitors here tonight. We certainly want to make it something that is convenient for them. We have a resolution that is on our agenda. that we will go through and have a motion to accept it, a second and a discussion and then a vote on that. It is naming the Galesburg Regional Airport in honor of Harold W. Timmons. So if I can get a motion for that. Okay, Evan and Mr. Miller with the motion and Mr. Dennis with a second. Any discussion at all? Okay, all those in favor of that vote? Please register your vote, please. Hicks, yes. Dennis, yes. Miller, yes. White, yes. Echera, yes. Davis, yes. Cheeseman, yes. Seven vote yes, Your Honor. Thank you. I think that was a no-brainer. And what I will do now is I have a proclamation that I will come forward and read with Mr. Timmons by my side. And then we will present this to him. And then there will be in the springtime a more formal ceremony at the airport to honor this wonderful event. This is one of those things that is an honor and a privilege to be pinching here tonight to be able to get to do something like this this is the resolution that has been put forth by our city concerning naming of the airport to herald timmons uh... regional airport whereas the city of galesburg dedicated the galesburg municipal airport on west main street in nineteen sixty and whereas the city was proud to announce that the airport was recently upgraded to the status of a regional airport by the federal airport administration And whereas the airport sees significant usage from recreational users as well as corporations and businesses and acts as a gateway for outdoor recreational activities and supports aerial inspections, police and law enforcement operations and aerial agricultural activities. And whereas Jet Air Incorporated serves as the fixed based operator for the airport founded by Harold Timmons, where he served as the president of the FBO at Galesburg from 1969 to his retirement in 2023. And whereas Harrell started flying in 1965 and holds commercial flight and ground instructor ratings, plus an airline transport pilot certificate with 20,000 hours of flying time. And whereas Timmons is an FAA designated pilot examiner for private, commercial, instrument, multi-engine, airline transport, pilot, and citation jets, and a certified aircraft mechanic with inspection authorization. He has helped many employees advance to the airlines or become corporate pilots and corporate mechanics. And whereas Harrell has been a member of the National Stearman Board of Directors since its inception in 1971, as well as a member of the Stearman Foundation Board of Directors, And whereas Harold has been a member of the Galesburg Rotary Club for more than 40 years, in which he and his wife have been involved in the Rotary Youth Exchange, bringing students to our community from all over the world. They host Rotary team members and volunteer air transportation for sightseeing and traveling. And whereas Harold was inducted in the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame in 2011. Whereas the city of Galesburg would like to honor Harold Timmons for his exceptional contributions to aviation in the state of Illinois and to the Galesburg Regional Airport. His contribution, excuse me, his continuous service and selfless contributions to our community for going above and beyond to ensure excellence for the National Steward Fly-In and for the promotion of the Galesburg community. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Galesburg, Knox County, as follows. The Galesburg Regional Airport shall be named and officially referred to as the Harold W. Timmons Galesburg Regional Airport. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from after its passage and approval, which took place today, the 16th day of December, 2024. Can't think of a better person who's done more for our community and has meant more to our community than this gentleman here. So congratulations, Mr. Timmons, on this wonderful honor, having the airport named for you. I'm certainly at a loss for words, which is unusual. It would be a lot easier if I was selling somebody a new jet. But I want to thank the council, the city administration, the community of... Galesburg, that everyone over the years, for the 55 years that I've been there, that have maintained the airport, kept it a first-class airport, done what was necessary to keep it viable. usable by the aviation industry and the air transportation system. And they've cooperated with our company for years to take care of the customers, take care of the people, the users, and everyone that benefits from the airport. I'm in... deep appreciation because the Galesburg Airport and the Galesburg community gave me an opportunity to live a dream career. in doing something that I love to do. And I owe a great deal of thanks to the city airport workers that have worked together with our company, with Jet Air, to keep the airport as a 24-7 airport, always ready. The facilities have been kept current to the current technology so that it truly is a 24-7 airport. And the teams also, the jet air teams over all these years, along with the city maintenance teams, have all worked together for the the cause and the good of the airport and for the good of the company. They bought into our team, the Jitter team bought into our philosophies and our plans and have kept the company going and growing and I certainly owe a lot to my family and my wife. Thank you. Thank you very much Mr. Timmons. This is certainly a testament to the impact that you've had on so many in our community with your family, many of your colleagues, and what you've done here. And I know we as a council and a community and a staff look forward to doing more things to help that gem that the airport is and helping it help our community and this entire region. Thank you again. Okay, it is now time to move to public comment. So anyone that has any public comment can step forward. Please state your name. And you have three minutes to voice your views in terms of whatever's on your mind about city business. Anyone? Anyone out there for public comment? If there is none and I see none, then we're going to move on to our next section in our city council meeting tonight. And that is the consent agenda. Consent agenda number 2024-22. We have five things underneath that agenda. All matters listed under the consent agenda are considered routine by the city council and will be enacted by one motion. And then we'll have a vote from there. So can I get a motion? So moved. Okay, by Mr. Miller. And a second? Second. By Mrs. Echera. Any discussion on these or any questions anyone has? Okay, then we'll call the roll. Mrs. Benowitz? Hicks, yes. Dennis, yes. Miller, yes. White, yes. Cherry, yes. Davis, yes. Cheeseman, yes. Seven vote yes, Your Honor. Thank you, Mrs. Benowitz. Now we move to the section called Passage of Ordinances and Resolutions. Our first one on the agenda tonight is 24-1026. It is an ordinance. It is for a zoning amendment at 40 East Simmons Street. We're moving from an institutional to a B3 central business. It is the final reading. Mr. Hanson, to you for any information? I think you'll need a motion and a second first. Oh, I guess we do, don't we? I'm getting ahead of myself. Thank you. Thank you very much. So can I have a motion on that, please, to bring that? Okay. Mr. Dennis with a motion and Mr. Miller with a second. Thank you, Mr. Hanson. Any discussion on that? Okay. Go ahead, Mr. Hanson. Thank you, Your Honor. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval of a zoning amendment from I Institutional to B3 Central Business District for 40 East Simmons Street, the location of the former library. The applicant is planning to sell the property and would like to rezone to the B3 Central Business District, which allows for a variety of mixed uses that are appropriate for the downtown area. The purpose of the B3 District is to provide for a wide range of businesses and services typically located in an urban downtown environment, such as retail, residential, government, office, cultural, hotel entertainment, and ancillary uses. This comes to you with recommendation from both the Commission and staff. Happy to answer any questions. Any questions for Mr. Hansen? Any thoughts, discussion in regards to that? Okay, we'll take a vote, please. Hicks, yes. Dennis, yes. Miller, yes. White, yes. Cher, yes. Davis, yes. Cheeseman, yes. Seven vote yes, Your Honor. Thank you, Mrs. Benowitz. So that motion, that ordinance on that zoning amendment passes. Our next item under passage of ordinances and resolutions is 24-2030. That resolution is abating property tax on general obligation bonds. If I can get a motion to consider that. Mr. Hicks, thank you. A second? Second. Mrs. Chair, a second? And we'll turn it over to Mr. Hanson, please. Thank you, Your Honor. Staff is recommending approval of a resolution abating property tax on general obligation bonds. Bond payments are part of the property taxes unless the City Council approves resolutions abating these taxes. If taxes on general obligation bonds were not abated, taxes, specifically property taxes, would be increased by $2,826,561. Obviously, the bond proceeds have been anticipated with other revenue sources, and therefore we are requesting Council's approval of the abatement. Happy to answer any questions. Yes. Dennis. Yes. Miller. Yes. White. Yes. A cherry. Yes. Davis. Yes. Cheeseman. Yes. Seven vote. Yes. Your honor. Thank you. Now we move to the section entitled bids, petitions and communications. We have no business underneath that category tonight. So we'll move forward to the city manager's report with Mr. Hanson. your honor just briefly i'd like to recognize staff obviously saturday especially saturday morning was a challenging endeavor between public works parks and and public safety their efforts to keep things as as safe as possible as as you can get with ice certainly appreciate their efforts thankfully it warmed up in the afternoon and so it wasn't a prolonged event but Honestly speaking, ice is probably the most challenging thing that we deal with on the winter side. And so I appreciate their efforts, efforts from PD and as well as fire and all the things that go along with it during that time frame. Also just want to take a moment to thank both the staff and the council. Obviously tonight concludes our calendar year and our fiscal year as we are a calendar year budget. I appreciate the opportunity to serve with them and for you and for our residents. 2024, I think, on balance has been a good year, and I'm looking forward to an even better year in 2025 and just appreciate the council allowing me this honor to serve in this capacity. I have nothing further unless anyone has any questions. Any questions for Mr. Hanson? We appreciate everything you've done and your staff and our administration. It's been a good year, and I think some of us will have some comments about that as we close out the year. Okay, we move on now to miscellaneous business, which are agreements, approvals, et cetera. We have two items to vote on there. First one is 24-4092. And it is entitled, Change the Order for Transit Dispatch Software and Hardware to Provide the Quantity Necessary for the City's Transit Fleet. So if I can get a motion to bring that to vote. Okay. Thank you, Ms. Davis. A second? Second. Second by Mrs. Achera. And we'll turn it over to Mr. Hanson. Thank you, Your Honor. Staff is recommending approval of the change order with CTS software in the amount of $18,180. During implementation of the new dispatch software for the city's transit fleet, it was discovered that the entire fleet was not included in the software and hardware necessary to track all of the vehicles within the transit department. The vendor provided an updated quote to provide coverage for the additional vehicles, which increased the cost by the $18,180, or approximately 23%, bringing the contract total to $95,936. There are sufficient funds within the Rebuild Illinois Round 2 grant to cover these expenses in full. The change order has also been submitted to the Department of Transportation and final implementation is contingent upon their approval given that they are the overseer of the grant funds. Happy to answer any questions. Any questions for Mr. Hanson? Any thoughts? Okay, we'll call for a vote. Hicks, yes. Dennis, yes. Miller, yes. White, yes. Acerra, yes. Davis, yes. Cheeseman, yes. Seven vote yes, Your Honor. Our next item is 24-4093 underneath our miscellaneous business. And we take up the issue of phase two of the engineering agreement for the Lake Story multi-use path project. Can I get a motion to bring that to the table? Mr. Davis? Mr. Davis. How about Mrs. Acerra? and then a second by Mr. Dennis. We'll turn it over to Mr. Hanson. Thank you, Your Honor. Staff is recommending approval of the Phase 2 Engineering Agreement with Hutchinson Engineering in the amount of $79,081 for the Lake Story Multi-Use Path Project. The second phase of the project will pick up where the first phase ends and will construct a multi-use path starting at South Lake Story Road and Wood Block Road running north along US 150 and connecting to the existing path on the north side of Lake Story. City staff put out a request for qualifications to engineering firms to complete the phase two engineering for the project. The city received five responses, with Hutchinson Engineering receiving the highest rating based on the parameters set forth for the project. The ITEP grant funds 80% of the Phase II engineering work for the project. The city's local match responsibility is 20%, or 15,816.20. It is anticipated that construction of the project will begin in late 2025 or early 2026. Happy to answer any questions. Any questions for Mr. Hansen? Any thoughts, discussion? Just a point that I would like to make. I know this has been something that has been ongoing. It's much needed. Folks are excited about it. I know we had some glitches with some governmental red tape, but I think that this is going to add an enormous amount to our recreational area and that gem that Lake Story is. And I know folks are excited about that, and we know we want to continue working out there with... providing lots of service or recreational services that will add much to this and bring in more folks. So thank you for your work with that. We will now go ahead and call for a vote if there's no other discussion or comments. Hicks, yes. Dennis, yes. Miller, yes. White, yes. Achera, yes. Davis, yes. Cheeseman, yes. Seven vote yes, Your Honor. Okay, I will now ask for a motion to sit as a town board by voice vote. If I could have a motion for that? So moved. Okay, Ms. Davis, a second? Second. Okay, Mrs. Acera? All those in favor? Aye. Okay, and we have some bills, but before we have the bills, we have something that needs to be read by law from the township. It has to do with a general assistance grant maximum, so I will read that here, and then we will... We will vote on that. As 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. A client must meet certain criteria which can be discussed with a general assistance representative. Once a client's eligibility for general assistance is confirmed and they have complied with all requirements and their case is approved, vouchers are available to help pay for rent food utilities clothing personal items and or household supplies the application process from start to finish can take up to thirty days and continued eligibility must be redetermined every thirty days as of january first two thousand twenty five the general assistance grant maximum will be four hundred thirty nine dollars per month to apply for assistance Galesburg residents can pick up an application at the Office of General Assistance, 121 West Tompkins Street, which is here across the street from us here in Galesburg, during office hours, which are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also call their office at 343-9059 to discuss your situation and eligibility, and they offer some really important and critical services here in our town. Anybody have any discussion or questions in regard to that? Okay, we will go ahead then and call for a vote to accept that and those bills. Hicks, yes. Dennis, yes. Miller, yes. White, yes. Echera, yes. Davis, yes. Cheeseman, yes. Seven vote yes, Your Honor. Okay, we will now ask for a motion to return to city council with a voice vote. I can get a motion. Okay, Mrs. Chair, a second? Second. Okay, Ms. Davis, all those in favor of that? Aye. Okay, it is now time for closing comments. Would anyone like to start? Okay, we'll start with Mr. Hicks. Just a couple of quick things. I just want to congratulate Harold on his honor. My father-in-law was the air traffic controller, the station chief out at the airport. So I've known about Harold for many, many years. And then I've had the honor of working with him when we developed the airport commission, which I'm the city council liaison for that. And just a delight to work with him. And thank you so much for what you've done for our community with your years of service. As the deputy mayor mentioned earlier in his comments, I really believe the airport is the gem of our community and it's the front door. And I appreciate everything you and your family have done for our community. And it's a well, well-deserved honor. I just only wish my father-in-law could be here. Unfortunately, George passed away a few years ago. And then just to end up the year, I'm looking forward to all the positive changes that are going to happen in 2025. Thank you, Mr. Hicks. Mr. Davis? Well, I don't know why I'm calling you Mr. Davis tonight, because I know you're Mr. Dennis. And I've known you longer than anyone here. Hang on a minute. That's all right, Mr. Smith. Okay. Wayne, please. Anyway, I'd like to give congratulations to Harold, like everybody else has. I think, Harold, aren't you the one who brought in the Blue Angels into Galesburg? I was here. You were? And I remember when they were here, and that was fantastic. Those guys are unbelievable, and I know you had a lot to do with that. And as a younger man way back, I remember that. And every time I go out to the airport, I do remember the Blue Angels. And when I'm around you, I remember that. So congratulations on your honor. And I'm telling you now, it couldn't have went to a better person. You're a hell of a man. Thank you for your service. Thank you, Mr. Dennis. Mr. Miller? I haven't known Harold that long, but what little bit I have, it's been enjoyable to work with you. Congratulations on having this. It's an honor to be on the council, able to give this to you. Also, to our city staff, whether it's streets, water, anybody, They have given us a good year. Eric, you have done a fantastic job. We as a council have come together this year. We have accomplished, I feel like quite a bit, a lot of good things, some jobs coming in. So I'm proud to be a part of this council and what we are accomplishing. And I look forward to 2025. Thank you, Mr. Miller. Mr. White? I, too, don't know Mr. Timmons very well, but I met him not too long ago, and I've just heard a lot of buzz about him from some other people. But as I watched him give his speech, I've seen a very, very, very humble man. And there's one of the greatest qualities a human being can have, is to be strong at what you do and humble in your heart. I hope to get to know you a little bit better. And I remember being in the military, flying in and out of Galesburg's airport, and it was very important to me then. And I've got to give Mr. Hicks the credit for helping me see how important it is today. Through him, I met you and the gentleman in the back that gave me a flight in his biplane. And so I smile. But it's part of being... A citizen of Galesburg, you gave. And that's what we have to do here in Galesburg. Give back to our city. Work hard to improve it and to bring it up to a great standard. A place where everybody wants to be and wants to live. But I'm impressed with your humbleness. And behind every good man is a great woman. And she's sitting right next to you. I just... I know it's Christmas season, and my heart always goes out to giving. As he gives his time and money, give this season. There's people that are hurting. There's people that are without. Take the time to pick up an angel tree or feed somebody or just go out and show the love that our Father in Heaven has shown you. Somebody, I look forward to the next year, 2025. Give me another year older, deeper in debt. St. Peter, don't you call me because I can't go. But thank you, Mr. Hanson, for all that you do. And I do appreciate the city taking care of us because at 73, I was really, really worried about slipping and falling. But they kept the ice down, salted stuff. And I went to... a program this weekend that Mr. Miller was at, and I had a great time. It was a Filipino's party, Christmas party. I can't pronounce what the word was, but it was great. I enjoyed myself. And it was another opportunity where you find people giving, because she has given a lot to the city. Thank you. Merry Christmas. Thank you, Mr. White. An additional comment, Mr. Dennis? Before you get to Heather, I just again, when I was giving him praise, I forgot to praise our city manager. I'll tell you right now, a year ago, we hired one of the best people you could hire, and he's got a great staff, and I have enjoyed every minute of every day working with Mr. Hanson. I appreciate it, and I hope you're here for a long, long time. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Dennis. I think we all echo that. I must say it's been several years that I've appreciated. I grew up here. I've known about the airport since I was a little girl. My husband and I had the young Marines. We took the young Marines out there at the different air shows and gave the kids exposure and they were able to volunteer and that was a great experience for them. Um, one of the things, you know, when I, when I ran for office, I took a look at what are, you know, what are some of the assets that we should be promoting more. And I know I talked to Bradley about it and others on the city council. And, and we really are just so blessed to, through your leadership, have such a great asset. And I do hope if you haven't seen the strategic plan, we, we met and, and that's one of our objectives is continue to enhance the airport as, uh, as the asset that it is. But you are the one that brought that along. So thank you so much for that. I'd also like to acknowledge that I think we had a pretty good year. It's quite amazing. We might actually get out of here in under an hour, so that's an accomplishment in itself. But that's due to effective leadership. I think Eric and the rest of the staff have been terrific in that regard. And then the willingness of the council, in spite of our differences, to work together, worked on the strategic plan. I think that's a very good document. I think that's going to provide us guidance to be very effective and to obtain our objectives that are going to drive the city forward as we continue to work. So I just wish everybody a happy holiday season, and thanks again for everything you guys do. Thank you, Mrs. O'Chara, and I would certainly echo those thoughts about the strategic plan. I hope all of you get a chance to look at it. I know it's a long document, but there's some great stuff in there, and I know lots of that we are really looking forward to digging into. Okay. Ms. Davis? Yes, you get to see Miss Davis and not, I did appreciate that despite the Mr. Davis confusion, it wasn't directed at me. I was like, I don't think I look like Mr. And it won't be for very much longer. It'll be Mrs. Carrington before the year is out. So I'll throw you guys all something else to get used to. But. As a more recent Gillsburg transplant, I haven't gotten the chance to know Mr. Timmons, and I can say the same for a lot of people, but I'm so thankful for the connections I do get to make because everyone describing meeting him, I was like, this is really similar to a lot of the other folks in Gillsburg that I've met and gotten to hear stories from them as well as from others about how much they've had an impact on this community and you know i may be a more recent transplant here but i'm a i'm a native small town illinoisan as well and i recall growing up with those sort of local idols and it it just warms my heart i cherish it so much every time we get the opportunity to continue honoring our local heroes and recognizing the good that they've done for this community and for the world in general. So thank you very much for all that you have done and continue to do. And for, you know, that very visible impact we could see tonight, just of everyone who showed up for this one moment. Just keep keep impacting the world. And I say that to everyone as an encouragement. I loved. Mr. White's comment about giving. It's the season of giving. And I think that that's something we can do. We can give back to the world and continue to have that impact in any way that we can. So thank you, sir, for being an inspiration. And I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. Thank you, Ms. Davis. valuable part of our communities its citizens and there are many in here tonight many out here that are not out here uh... and certainly uh... mister tim and you are one of those congratulations to you this is certainly a worthy worthy uh... not an accomplishment but certainly a worthy recognition of of all that you mean to our community you mean a lot uh... You truly are an aviation icon. We have you here, right here in our own backyard. And I certainly want to also thank your family and congratulate them, too. They have meant a lot to our community as well. And I've got to know many of them, having some of them in school and seeing them around throughout the community. So that needs to be said again. Thank you to my colleagues here tonight, our city staff. on this is that it was this is going to be honest for hanson for their assistance in helping me uh... get organized in terms of running this and executing this meeting to come to the end of two thousand twenty four want to commend this council this council right here our city administration in our city staff for the productive and excellent work that they have done for Galesburg, and there has been a lot, and not all of it gets publicized or seen, but if you just take a look out there, there are a ton of things that have been done for our town and all of its citizens that really, really matter. A lot of accomplishments in many, many areas, and that's because of the commitment and care all of you here and all of you there and all of our citizens have made to this great community. We cannot rest on these successes. There's still much to do. And I look forward to us continuing to roll up our sleeves and working with all, everyone, to get even more accomplished this coming year that make our city a better place for its citizens. Finally, I want to wish all of you a happy holiday season, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. God bless all of you, and I mean that sincerely. See you in 2025. And if there's nothing else, if we can get a motion. There was a lot of pressure here on me tonight to make sure that I get this thing done in a timely manner. So I'm taking a deep breath now. So if I can get a motion to adjourn. Okay. Mr. Dennis, Mr. White is second. All those in favor of adjournment? Aye. Okay. Thank you very much. Good night to you all. Thank you.