Galesburg City Council meets tonight at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall will a full agenda.
Some of the items Aldermen will address tonight include-
- an agreement that would change Galesburg Police to a 12-hour shift schedule.
Aldermen would technically be approving an addendum to the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Public Safety Employees Organization.
Both the city and PSEO came to an agreement on Aug. 29 on this change.
The policy change to 12-hour shifts is effectively a recruitment strategy, which will allow all officers to get at least one weekend off per month.
- Council will also vote on a facade program grant for Cherry Street Brewing Company.
They’re seeking almost $39,000 to update the exterior of the property.
If approved, the owners anticipate beginning exterior work as soon as possible and estimate completion by January 2023.
When the project is completed, Cherry Street anticipates retaining 3 full-time jobs and 8 part-time jobs while creating 4 new full-time and 22 new part-time jobs.
- Council will also vote to adjust fees associated with various licenses, permits, and fees, based on recommendations from administration.
Through their planning sessions, Aldermen urged Administration to evaluate rates and fees to ensure cost recovery but to avoid the rates/fees being a barrier.
- The Council also looks to authorize a grant submission to update Lancaster Park.
The park is about 1 acre and sits at the corner of Lancaster St. and Bushmore Ave. in a neighborhood just off Monmouth Blvd. to the south.
The project would include new playground equipment, a picnic shelter, half court basketball area, benches, pathways for accessibility, and parking areas.
- Aldermen can also approve two items that will go towards demolishing rundown residential properties.
Council can vote on demolishing a dilapidated property at 820 E. Fifth St. and then also purchase a property at 1212 Maple with the intention of demolition.
- Council can approve two members to the recently created Airport Advisory Commission.
Mayor Peter Schwartzman has put forward Ken Springer, the President of the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development and Phillip Wolford, President of Jet Air Inc.
If approved both would serve on the commission until September 2025.
