Galesburg City Council traded barbs, raised their voices, and then narrowly decided on Monday night not to conduct a public hearing on the location of a community center. The motion failed on a 3-3 vote, with Mayor Peter Schwartzman and Alderwoman Sarah Davis not in attendance and Deputy Mayor Larry Cox presiding over the meeting. The three council members present that are in favor of Churchill voted against the hearing; Jaclyn Smith-Esters, Dwight White, and Kevin Wallace. Larry Cox, Bradley Hix and Wayne Dennis voted in favor. First, they voted on tabling the motion; which was defeated by a 2-3-1 vote. The resolution reads that the hearing would be to give information and receive input on community center locations. It was clarified that more than just the four locations studied by the Farnsworth Group could be discussed. Alderman Bradley Hix wants a 5th location considered on East 5th Street, which the city already owns. Alderman Dwight White says the public has had their input and
An informal vote by the City Council on Monday night indicates that they'll be moving forward with renovating Churchill Junior High as a future community center. A majority of Alderman said they back Churchill, including Kevin Wallace, Dwight White, Sarah Davis, and Jacyln Smith-Esters. Alderman Kevin Wallace says there will be a lot of "hoops" to jump through but it's the location that makes the most sense at this time. Alderwoman Jaclyn Smith-Esters says she's tired of "kicking down the road." She says the city will be able to figure out how to pay for it even if how is unclear at the moment. Council member Larry Cox suggested doing the work in phases and utilizing existing buildings in the meantime. Alderman Dwight White brushes off budget concerns saying the city will "figure it out", adding "you can't put a price on youth." Council member Bradley Hix said that a property on East 5th that the city recently acquired near H.
Galesburg City Council on Monday night had an extensive conversation on an ordinance that would set parameters for landscaping on residential terraces. Ultimately, the measure was tabled and will be back for first reading at the next meeting. The ordinance allows plantings up to 30 inches in height except for clear vision areas at intersections with streets and driveways which limits the height in these areas to eighteen 18 inches. Alderwoman Sarah Davis says she heard there was little input from residents that wanted to be a part of drafting the ordinance. Alderman Kevin Wallace agreed and thinks there should be a meeting with residents who originally raised this issue. City Manager Todd Thompson said the administration isn't trying to subvert public comment and is open to public input through the normal first and second reading process. Alderwoman Jaclyn Smith-Esters says she thinks the new ordinance was too restrictive. Thompson pointed out the ordinance is not only far more pe
The city of Galesburg will move forward with an engineering study that will determine the feasibility for potential use of a soon-to-be-closed junior high school.