The Galesburg City Council got a presentation on Monday from a prospective contractor that would aid the city with a community branding plan. City Manager Gerald Smith says cities have increasingly focused on branding themselves, particularly since COVID-19. Steve Chandler with Chandlerthinks out of Franklin, Tennessee has a client list that is almost exclusively municipalities and tourism bureaus. Chandler says Galesburg won't be branded successfully just because it has a logo and tagline, but says it's more about a town's reputation. Mayor Peter Schwartzman asked about how work done by Galesburg on Track Heart and Soul to find what the community values in recent years could be incorporated. Chandler says he would recommend using Heart and Soul's work and including its team members, which could ultimately save time and cost. Deb Moreno the Project Leader for Heart and Soul says her group is very much in support of a community branding effort. Moreno also advocated
Galesburg City Council passed a resolution Tuesday night that directs city staff to start the process of a $5.3 million bond sale that would be restricted to a community center. It was a 4-3 vote with Kevin Wallace, Dwight White, Jaclyn Smith-Esters, and Sarah Davis in favor and Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis, and Larry Cox opposed. Finance Director Gloria Osborn says there will be a bond sale on Mar. 6, although the sale will be brought back for council approval with current interest rates. City Manager Gerald Smith says the city would look for a ten-year term on the bond. Ward 2 Council member Wayne Dennis wanted to know where additional funds for a community center would come from. City Manager Smith said the city could take a phased approach toward development. He also reiterated that community fundraising could be a possibility to fill in funding gaps. Proceeds from this bond sale would be restricted for use of a community center. Schwartzman defended asking the council to pass the bon
Galesburg Council on Tuesday learned that there was a surprisingly high utility bill for the former Churchill Junior Building for part of November and December. Ward 7's Larry Cox pointed out the designated site of a community center has a bill close to $11,000 for the month. Parks and Recreation Director Elizabeth Varner called it a "shocker". Varner says she's contacted District 205 to find out why that bill is so high compared to last year when it was under District 205's care. 205 said there are storm trap doors that are a part of the problem. 205 also said they would have staff turn the heat on and off frequently. Since this expenditure wasn't anticipated Council Member Bradley Hix asked where near $11,000 funds would come from or what would need to be cut. City Manager Gerald Smith said he would work with Finance Director Gloria Osborn to address the shortage. Mayor Peter Schwartzman agrees that the high utility bill was "surprising". Schwa