Galesburg City Council on Monday will have the first reading on the issuance of $5 million in General Obligation bonds to pay for a community center. The council voted on Jan. 17 to direct staff to start the process of issuing these bonds. The home rule sales tax increase Council passed in December and takes effect in July will be used to pay for the 2023 bond principal and interest payments. The debt will be structured as a 10-year issuance, with interest payments being made twice a year. Council will also vote on a total of $35,000 in grants for Greenhouse and Decor, Debbie Clague's reopening of the business at 963 E. Main St. The total project cost is $292,000 and is being supported by a loan from F&M Bank and owners equity. Per the Minority/Women-owned Startup Assistance Program guidelines, a self-employed person is eligible to receive $5,000 plus $2,500 per full-time employee created, up to a maximum of $10,000. In addition to the owner, they anticipate creating 2 new full-time jobs within two years. Free Public Transit for KCHA and Knox College Council on Monday night will vote on two service contracts that would let all residents of Knox County Housing Authority ride public transit for free. This was spurred on by the Galesburg Community Foundation, the Hunger Collaborative, and KCHA. The service contract, if approved would start in June 2023 and run through June 2024. KCHA residents will have their ridership tracked through a tally system instead of paying the normal ridership fee and once a month the City will send KCHA a bill for their ridership use. Residents riding would have to present their KCHA ID. The Galesburg Community Foundation has committed to $100,000 in reimbursable expenses during the course of this agreement. Council documents say the intent is to create a sustainable, long-term service agreement for KCHA residents with the Public Transportation system. There also will be an agreement that would let all Knox College students and staff ride for free, with the College reimbursing public transport $2,000.