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 bond with restricted guidelines when pressed by Alderman Bradley Hix. Schwartzman explained that he was misled in a previous bond sale when he was on the Council. There were funds earmarked for a "special project" but there was an ambiguity that allowed a community center to not be that project. He also said that there are other funding methods that have been designed to improve roads and bridges. City Manager Smith said if grants brought additional funds the scope of the project could be expanded. Schwartzman says there is still $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds that could be used to fill in the gap for a community center. Aldermen Hix and Larry Cox raised the concern that parks and infrastructure projects would be pushed years down the line because of the financial needs of a community center.