Galesburg Aldermen tonight will discuss authorizing the purchase of Churchill Junior High. This isn’t the final vote but the discussion is sure to be lively as there seems to be a 4-3 split in opinion on Aldermen’s preference to turn the school into a community center. The meeting will also have a vote on a resolution to ask Galesburg voters a non-binding referendum question; should the city spend $5 to $10 million to turn Churchill into a community center. The District 205 School Board recently authorized the purchase on their end, and the purchase would not be finalized until the end of the school year, as students are currently attending classes there. The school board ended up adding a right of first refusal clause. That would end up giving them a chance to get the property back if the city wants to dispose of it.
Galesburg Council will meet tonight with such agenda items as appointing an interim City Manager. Director of Public Works Wayne Carl is up for approval in that temporary post as City Manager Todd Thompson leaves for Rock Island in May. Council will also look to approve amendments to the nuisance ordinance, which are the result of lots of thought, planning, and a recent work session. Council will also discuss adding a new type of liquor license to aid Cornucopia. The new C-3 license would allow a holder to sell beer and wine only for consumption on or off-premises. The downtown grocer has a small seating area and would like to offer alcoholic beverages. Aldermen will meet in City Council chambers at 5:30 p.m. Monday night.
