Galesburg’s 15-member community center task force met for the first time on Thursday night, charged with making a blueprint for the City Council on a future community center.
One of their pieces of business was to elect a chairperson, which they did in John Polillo.
Polillo worked at Blick Art Materials for 45 years, retiring as a senior executive.
Antonio Franklin got the second most votes so he will serve as the group’s Vice-Chair.
Ward 7 Alderman Steve Cheesman started the meeting, urging the task force to work together, listen to each other and compromise.
Cheesman laid out some parameters for the group as they research a community center, including a $2.5-$3.5 million soft cap, which is the stance of a majority of the City Council.
Cheesman also urged them to keep in mind staff and operating costs and to work form to function- asking what services should go into a community center before choosing a site.
He added they should try not to duplicate services already being provided by the city or other agencies and access should be readily available.
Parks and Recreation Director Elizabeth Varner helped facilitate the meeting.
Task force goals presented by Varner include developing a vision, determining community center objectives, developing an action plan, and presenting information to City Council so they can then make a decision.
$2.5 million or $3.5 million?
Interim City Manager Wayne Carl says that by October the City would know about $1 million in federal dollars for a community center.
Chairman John Polillo says that’s awkward timing since the task force will nearly be done by their work by then.
Whether the grant is received is a difference between a $2.5 million soft cap on a community center and a $3.5 million cap.
Chairman Polillo says the logical starting point for the next meeting is “delving into what a community center is.”
He said it’s “way too early to talk about square footage and building locations.”
Vice-Chair Franklin said there is a difference between a community center and a teen center when Polillo suggested they were both on the table.
Maria Salsman asked if the city has asked enough about what kids specifically want from a community center.
Anthony Law says in talking to young parents that they are more interested in STEM and educational opportunities for young people than basketball courts.
Going forward the group will meet on Tuesdays and meeting locations may vary as the group tours different sites.
The target date for the group to complete work would be Nov. 30 with a target date to present to City Council of Dec. 4.