ANNUAL REPORT

2020

Galesburg City Hall

55 West Tompkins Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
www.ci.galesburg.ill.us
 Message from the Mayor

2020 proved to b e a c h a l l e n g i n g year, full of

many obstacles a n d r e s t r i c t i o n s r elated to the
COVID-19 pandem i c . D e s p i t e t h e c hallenges, City
staff members a n d o f f i c i a l s h a v e b een steadfast
in pursuing th e b e s t a v e n u e s t o continue to
provide the serv i c e s a n d i n f r a s t r u cture, which
our citizens co u n t o n - b o t h f o r daily needs,
such as water a n d r o a d s , a s w e l l as Police and
Fire protection, s h o u l d t h e y b e n e e ded. We are
proud of the su c c e s s e s t h a t 2 0 2 0 brought, and
the challenges o v e r c o m e i n o r d e r the serve the
citi z e n s o f G a l e s b u r g .

John Pritchard
Mayor

Message
Mes
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I am pleased to present the annual report for

2020, which provides information for the
community on the mission and services
provided by the City of Galesburg throughout
the last year. While it's not possible to capture
every contribution, the annual report illustrates
a few key accomplishments and statistics that
exemplify each department and the services
they provide to the citizens of Galesburg. I am
proud of the accomplishments and progress
made by City staff during a year of continual
adaption to unprecedented circumstances.

Todd Thompson
City Manager
 City of Galesburg Elected Officials

Mayor City Clerk Ward 1 Alderman

John Pritchard Kelli Bennewitz Bradley Hix

Ward 2 Alderman Ward 3 Alderman Ward 4 Alderman

Wayne Dennis Lindsay Hillery Corine Anderson

Ward 5 Alderman Ward 6 Alderman Ward 7 Alderman

Peter Schwartzman Wayne Allen Larry Cox
City of Galesburg Department Directors

City Manager City Attorney & Director Director of Public Works

Todd Thompson of Administrative Services Wayne Carl
Bradley Nolden

Director of Finance & Director of Parks & Director of Community

Information Systems Recreation Development
Gloria Osborn Tony Oligney-Estill Ryan Berger

Police Chief Fire Chief

Russell Idle Randy Hovind
THE CITY OF GALESBURG
Organizational Structure

The C ity of Galesburg operates under the Council-Manager form of government,

with a City Manager hired by the City Council to serve as the chief
a dmi nistrative officer. The City is made up of seven departments, which carry
out the services and functions of city government.
THE CITY OF GALESBURG
Budget in Brief

The City’s annual FY 2020 budget year ended December 31, 2020.
The General Fund provides services to the community such as public safety,
q uali ty of life and general government functions.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
City of Galesburg COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Th e C OVID-19 p andemic plunged Galesburg, along with the rest of the country and
w or ld, into uncharted territory requiring innovation and continual adaptation to
changing circumstances. City s taff and officials worked diligently to create
em er gency response plans to keep the community safe, share critical inf ormation,
pr ovi de assistance to struggling businesses and citizens, and find ways to continue
t o serve the citizens of Galesburg in ways that coincide with best practices for
slowing the spread of COVID within our community.

A s o f the date of publishing, there have been 123 COVID-19 linked deaths in Knox
Co unty. Each citizen plays an integral role in the tapestry of our society, and even
mo re i mportantly within their own family and circle of friends. Each soul lost is the
true measure of the cost of the pandemic.

In March 2020, Galesburg/Knox County Emergency Management Agency activated the Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) & Knox County Unified Command.
City of Galesburg Fire Chief Randy Hovind played a critical role as the co-commander of the Knox
County Unified Command with Michele Gabriel of the Knox County Health Department.
Representatives from multiple disciplines worked together to develop and implement the local
emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The EOC provided regular briefings to keep citizens informed of developments, including weekly
video briefings by Chief Hovind from April 30 - June 4, 2020
The Knox County Unified Command Dashboard was created and added to the City of Galesburg
website to provide information to the public.
March 18, 200, Mayor John Pritchard issued an Emergency Declaration.
Emergency powers were utilized to amend liquor license regulations, creating avenues for
businesses to continue to operate through the sale of packaged liquor and/or curbside pickup.
Waived the local liquor license fee for the remainder of the May 1, 2020 - April 30, 2021 cycle.
City of Galesburg COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Continued
45
businesses assisted by
The City established temporary rules for outdoor restaurant and bar operation
to accommodate restaurants operating under the Restore Illinois Plan.
Assisted local businesses in need of outdoor seating by providing picnic tables $610,000
from the Parks Department. in COVID-19
relief grant
Temporarily suspended local food and beverage tax payments for bars and funds
restaurants hit hardest by the onset of the pandemic.
Passed a resolution waiving the City's annual license fee due in 2020 for video gaming terminals.
A moratorium on water shut-off due to non-payment was instituted to help residents who had fallen
on hard times.
The City worked to connect the business community with resources, including the development of a
City of Galesburg COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, which utilized $360,000 in state funding, along
with $250,000 in funding from the City of Galesburg to provide direct assistance to 45 Galesburg
businesses.
The City Finance Department submitted and received reimbursement for $1.15 million in COVID-
related expenses.
City Hall closed to the public during portions of the pandemic in an effort to slow the spread of
COVID within our community, while continuing to provide all services remotely.
Additional cleaning and social distancing procedures were implemented within City facilities upon
reopening to increase citizen and employee safety.
Streamed all City Council Meeting live on the City's website and Comcast Channel 7, as well as
instituted increased opportunities for remote public engagement.
Continually updated information on the City's website to provide guidance to citizens on how to
access City services remotely.
Modification of parks and recreation programs to conform with social distancing guidance and
regulations, as well as the creation of online programs and classes.

Cit y of Galesburg E m p l o y e e C o n t r i b u t i o n s t o
COVID-19 Em e r g e n c y M a n a g e m e n t

Fire Chi e f R a n d y H o v i n d Jim Cueno

Co-Command e r o f t h e K n o x C o u n ty Situation Unit Leader
Unifi e d C o m m a n d Provided some of the most valuable
resources including creation of the
Fire Deput y C h i e f J o h n S e i t z Unified Command Dashboa rd
Deputy Chief fo r t h e C O V I D P a n d e mic
Response Kraig Boynton
Finance Liason
Fire C p t . J e f f M a h e r Played a pivotal role in obtaining the
Plannin g S e c t i o n C h i e f $1.15 million in CARES Act Funding
Fire C p t . M a t t L e w i s Brad Nolden
Suppl y U n i t L e a d e r Liaison for the City
Kell i B e n n e w i t z Gloria Osborn
Pubilc In f o m a t i o n O f f i c e r Finance Section Chief
Jen n i M o s e r Wayne Carl
Docume n t a t i o n L e a d e r Unified Command
Eri c k a W e l c h Police Chief Russell Idle
Docume n t a t i o n L e a d e r Uniifed Command
 ADMINISTRATION

LEGAL
Initiated 81 new legal files, defending the City's interest in litigation involving zoning,
breach of contract, unpaid taxes, liquor, and civil rights
Settled or resolved litigation involving breach of contract, personal injury, and worker's
compensation
Filed 18 new cases seeking demolition of unsafe structures
Ten cases resolved via the entry of an order for demo or repair/demo by the owner
An additional eight unsafe structures purchased through the Knox County Trustee for
demolition
Prosecution of City ordinance violations - hearing held twice a month

ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION
Adjudication hearings held twice a month at Galesburg City Hall
1,215 city ordinance violation cases processed, including property maintenance
violations, license/registration violations, parking, nuisance, impound & tow hearings
497 cases brought into compliance and/or paid fines prior to hearing
718 cases proceeded to hearing with a judgment entered by the Hearing Officer

ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW
City Manager, Legal, Human Resources

The C i ty Manager oversees all daily city operations, departments, and sta ff. The
Admi n i stration Department consists of five full-time employees with a focus on
cit y administrati on, legal, and human resources.
ADMINISTRATION
Continued

HUMAN RESOURCES
Internal response to COVID-19 pandemic
Implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Policy and
Emergency COVID leave
Created temporary teleworking policy
Coordinated onboarding of nine Galesburg Transit employees 24
New
Employees
ADMINISTRATION Hired

266 City Council agenda items processed

Responded to 306 citizens requests initiated through the City website
Communication of City COVID response and changes to services to citizens through
website, media releases, and social media
Issued 213 press releases
Provided citizen engagement and information through 284 Facebook posts, with an
average reach of 976; and 121 Tweets with an average impression of 551

Budget
Budg
d et & Staf
dg Staff
a ff
aff f Oversig
Oversight
i gh
igght

$66,136,330 2020 City of Galesburg Total Budget

5 Administration

234
4 City Clerk
29 Community Development
12 Finance & IT
43 Fire Department
Full Time City 20 Parks & Rec
Employees 75 Police Deparment
46 Public Works
PUBLIC WORKS

STREETS
Relocated brick storage yard to Airport
Installed new sanitary sewer to new Street Division Building
177
Miles of roadway
Installed new parking lot signage for all city parking lots
maintained
Striped, plowed, and salted roadways
Installed radar feedback signs on South Street near Knox College
New street division building bid out, with the building scheduled to be completed in
March 2021

PUBLIC WORKS OVERVIEW

Engineering, Streets, Water, Central Garage

Th e P ublic Works Department encompasses 46 employees who manage the

oper ation, maintenance, and improvement of the City's infrastructure. From
patc hi ng streets to managing major road construction projects, reading water
me ter s to the planned maintenance of wells and water mains - the Public Works
De par tment is responsible for both day-to-day maintenance, as well as the
nec essary long-term planning for the City's infrastructure.
PUBLIC WORKS
Continued

ENGINEERING
Completed Park Plaza Project in partnership with Parks Department
Reconstruction of Academy, Monroe, and Phillips Streets
Began arterial street reconstruction for the S. Seminary Street project

CENTRAL GARAGE
Maintained, serviced, and repaired as needed 188 pieces of City equipment,
including police cars, fire trucks, large construction equipment, dump trucks,
pick-up trucks & cars, jetter truck, and handivans
Installed protective prisoner barriers in 12 new police cars

WATER 500
Replaced Ranney Well valves & piping Lead Service
Lines Replaced
Completed construction of Gravel Pack Well #5
Replaced 500 lead water services lines during Phase IV
Including prior phases, the City has replaced a total of 2,150 lead services lines
Solar power placed online for the water treatment plant in Oquawka
Rehabbed Gravel Pack Wells #1 & #2
Treated & pumped over two billion gallons of water during 2020

18%
Cost savings from solar
array at water
treatment plant.
 CITY CLERK

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE

Managed and processed over 1,000 Freedom of Information Requests
Issued over 45 miscellaneous registrations and licenses (e.g. taxi, food trucks,
peddler/hawkers, etc.)
Registered 3,600 rentals
Received and responded to over 400 nuisance complaint phone calls
Submitted 389 code violations to Administrative Adjudication
Licensed 287 contractors (HVAC, demolition, general, etc.)
Issued over 1,200 animal licenses
Prepared deeds and processed payment for 125 grave spaces, openings & scatterings
Internal Communications Committee
New proposed city website and code & permitting software
Two municipal code updates
1,000+
FOIA requests
processed

CITY CLERK OVERVIEW

The C i ty Clerk's office is responsible for keeping the official records of the City,
includi ng all minutes, ordinances, contracts, and resolutions. There are four
em ployees in the City Clerk's Office, who work together to provide many of the
customer service , record keeping, and permitting functions of the City.
PARKS &
RECREATION

3,810
people served by

320
programs or
classes

RECREATION
Continually adapted and modified programs and facility procedures in response to
COVID-19 pandemic
Hosted the I-74 basketball tournament - total of 97 teams participating
Addition of new online programming and classes
First utilization of the newly developed Mobile Playground
Increased boat rentals - 3,541 boats rented at Lake Storey with total revenue of
$19,798.50, compared to total revenues of $5,512 in 2019

AIRPORT
Awarded $30,000 through the CARES Act for personnel expenses
Executed an agreement with the Stearman Foundation for construction of a hangar at
Galesburg Municipal Airport to be utilized as the National Stearman home base

PARKS & RECREATION OVERVIEW

Recreation, Parks Maintenance
The Par k s a n d R e c r e a t i o n D e p a r t m e n t has 20 employees who maintain the 26 parks
through o u t t h e C i t y . I n a d d i t i o n t o f acility maintenance, recreation staff also develops,
promote s , a n d i m p l e m e n t s r e c r e a t i o nal programming, as well as staff the facilities.
PARKS & RECREATION
Continued

BUNKER LINKS GOLF COURSE

Renovated the patio area - addition of a shade structure and new seating
Addition of individual scooters as an alternative to golf carts - 228 scooter rentals
Record number of golf rounds played - 23,648 rounds played at Bunker Links during
2020, compared to 21,369 during 2019

PARKS
Utilized an IDNR grant in the amount of $23,450 to install a new bathroom facility at the
west boat ramp at Lake Storey
Submittal of an ITEP grant to construct a multi-use path along S. Lake Storey Road
Contracted with Edgewater Resources to complete the Phase I Lake Storey Expansion
Feasibility Study
Received land donation, which was utilized to create Voeller Park
Utilized grant funding for the addition of a shade structure & seating at the Transporation
Depot on Seminary Street
Boiler and carpet replacement at City Hall
Repaired and widened 500 feet of Lake Storey bike path
Replacement of valves at Lake Storey dam
Utilized a $10,000 donation from the Kiwanis Club for new swings at Kiwanis Park

605 acres of Parks

900
Acres of City owned
120 acres of Golf Course
75 acres of Cemetery
100 acres of Airport & other
property maintained
City owned property
 POLICE DEPARTMENT

26%
Reduction in
Burglaries

POLICE DEPARTMENT
Responded to 44,128 calls for service, plus 3,013 additional self-initiated activities
Purchased 12 new squad cars equipped with new computers & in-car camera systems
Transitioning from paper citations to electronic ticketing
Five promotions, including the appointment of Deputy Chief Hostens
Hired one lateral officer and three entry-level officers
Retirement of two command officers
Purchased and
Received bulletproof vest grant through US Department of
implemented
Justice to cover part of the costs for ballistics vests for officers
body-worn
Obtained STEP grant through IDOT for
camera system
increased traffic
Officer pictured enforcement
wearing body-worn
campaigns
camera.

49 26
Sworn Police Officers Civillian Personnel

44
Patrol Officers
5 19 7
Other staff - clerks,
Investigators Dispatchers
& Command IT, CSO, 911 Cord.
 FIRE
DEPARTMENT
FIRE SERVICES
Responded to 1,502 calls for service
Outdoor warning siren installed at the VFW
64
Residents received
Two firefighters graduated from the Fire Academy smoke detectors
installed by GFD

FIRE MARSHALL
Issued 266 International Fire Code permits
Reviewed 16 installations or modification permits for fire prevention systems
Conducted 26 fire investigations
One firefighter completed the fire investigations certification training

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Responded to 2,810 calls for medical service
One firefighter passed the EMT Basic Course

GFD Response

43 11
Firefighters
on scene in

3 59
average of

Total Fire Dept Personnel

min. seconds
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT

PLANNING Building
1 preannexation agreement 424 Building permits
4 parcels annexed into the city
305 Mechanical permits
2 site plans reviewed
637 Electrical permits
2 special use requests reviewed
711 Plumbing permits
5 variance requests (setbacks, height,
35 plan reviews of commercial projects
# of parking spaces)
2 variance requests (signs) 4 code variances processed through the
3 minor plat subdivisions Overall Code Review Commission
2 zoning amendments 12 court-ordered demolitions completed
1 new drive-through reviewed 23 property owners came into compliance
3 ordinance amendments after starting the demolition process
1 city-owned property sold
Completed work on the Decennial Census. Galesburg finished with a 70.6% response
rate (of which 43.1% was via internet response). The overall State of Illinois response
rate was 58.4%

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW

Planning, Housing, Transit
The C ommunity Development Department is made up of 29 full-time employees
wh o oversee planning & zoning, inspections & permitting, housing grants, code
en for c ement, and transit for the City of Galesburg. During 2020, Transit was
tran si tioned from a contracted service to a City service, which includes City
bu ses and handivans.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Continued

PLANNING
TIF Incentive Projects
La Cantinita, 240 E Simmons Street, total project $119,336, TIF incentive toward
project $23,867
Wil Azer, 140-144 E Main St, total project $8,000, TIF incentive toward project $8,000
Galesburg Downtown Council, holiday lights, total project $99,302, TIF incentive
toward project 34,583
PLC Realty LLC, 66 N Seminary St, total project $45,000, TIF incentive toward project
$45,000
Facade Incentive Projects
PLC Realty LLC, 66 N Seminary St, total project $144,275, facade grant incentive
$36,069 (from City) and $36,069 (from Downtown Council)
Purple Hanger, 169 N Broad St (in progress), total project $172,943, facade grant
incentive $80,000
Water Infrastructure Grants
PLC Realty LLC, 66 N Seminary St, total project $12,570, water infrastructure grant
toward project $12,000.
8 businesses benefited from Enterprise Zone Incentives

HOUSING
25 homeowners able to rehabilitate homes utilizing grant funds obtained by City
2,477 code violation letters sent
125 rental violations, 60 resolved
363 housing violations referred to Administrative Adjudication
953 code violations resolved
405 tall grass violations resolved

$4 M
total value of projects assisted
Economic Impact through Enterprise Zone by sales
tax rebate valued at approx.
of Planning
Incentives
Contributed over
$350,,000
in facade rehabilitation assistance for

$100,000 projects valued at

$315,000
Contributed over The City of Galesburg works in partnership with
The Knox County Area Partnership (KCAP) on

$110,000 in TIF assistance

economic development projects.
KCAP Website

Cost savings from solar

FINANCE &
INFORMATION SYSTEMS

FINANCE
Assisted customers, managed accounts, managed statement creation, and processed
utility bill payments for approximately 12,000 customers on a monthly basis
Even with the temporary closure of city hall due to COVID, customer service staff assisted
over 18,700 walk-in customers with transactions and 6,200 incoming phone calls
Processed approximately 9,000 bi-weekly payroll payments; submitted quarterly and
annual reports, and issued W-2’s to City, election, and library employees in the amount of
$17.5 million dollars
Managed payments and contact with local businesses: city gas tax, food & beverage tax,
hotel/motel tax, economic development loans
Submitted and received reimbursement of $1.15 million for COVID expenses
Over 17,300 transactions were entered to make payment to 5,400 City, Library, Election
Commission, & ETSB vendors totaling approximately $38 million.
Received notification of the national Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) award for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2018. GFOA CAFR
Award

24
FINANCE & IT OVERVIEW consecutive
years
Utility billing, Accounting, Purchasing, Information Systems
The Fi nance Department provides accounting services for the City, including
dis tr i b ution and collection of utility bills, banking, budgeting, payroll, and
pu r c hasing. The information systems division is also included in this department
and pr ovides for the internal IT needs of the City.
FINANCE & IT
Continued

FINANCE
Completed the FY 2019 City annual financial report and submitted to the national GFOA
for CAFR certification review
Completed annual Consolidated Year-End Financial Report (CYEFR) per GATA or grant
requirements
Provided monthly treasurer and pension reports to City Clerk’s office
Completed 2019 audit work papers and worked with the audit firm
Created and completed the fiscal year 2020 budget document
Managed financial software and processed/reviewed financial information
Created daily deposits and performed banking functions
Managed debt service and processed debt payments in a timely manner
Purchased, monitored, and processed investments

INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Administration & maintenance of telephone system, video surveillance, wireless
communications, data back-up and disaster recovery systems, city data network & AV
Support for city website and video streaming capabilities
Major upgrade of the City Hall audio-visual system
Established PCI training program
Provided wireless internet and surveillance video in Park Plaza
Installed generator service to City Hall
Assisted Election Commission with preparation for the general election
Installation of communications and technology to prepare for General Election
Created web form application request for ballot by mail
Completed server upgrade and network segmentation for enhanced security
Updated backup remote facility wireless technology
Performed primary inventory and overhaul of the transit facility technologies and service
Purchased 17 computers for regular replacement
Completed redundant PRI and internet link on the network
Completed fiber splice and connection of the 3rd water tower to the fiber optic network
Coordinated free Springbrook training for various Community Development divisions
Assisted in the Lakeside pool audio system upgrade

IT played a critical role in ensuring work could continue during the

COVID pandemic
Provided all city employees with instant, secure, remote access to telework
Broadcast Emergency Management Agency (EMA) briefings
Remote meeting and advanced teleconferencing & presentation capabilities
City-wide texting capability for employee communication
Twinning functionality and city phone re-configurations for telework
THE CITY OF GALESBURG
Downtown Development Highlights
After
Before 120 E. Main Street
Buckling wall
Unsafe repaired
wall
Wall of 120 E. Main
Street, next to Park
Plaza, buckling &
unsafe
City acquired the
property & brought
the building into a
safe condition.
Total cost:
$569,509

66 S. Seminary
Street

Private Investment
in Downtown of
~$615,000 assisted
by City incentives.

Before & in progress

$45,000
TIF Incentive
&
$36,069
City Façade
Incentive After
Two new commercial spaces and loft apartments

Park Plaza Project Deteriorated Park Plaza renovated

New park opened Oct. 2020

Total cost: Park Plaza &
$34,583 TIF Incentive for downtown holiday lights Parking Lot E $1.54 M
 THE CITY OF GALESBURG
Neighborhood Revitalization Highlights
Lead remediation & housing rehabilitation grants continued to be utilized by the City of
Galesburg to assist homeowners with housing revitalization.

During 2020, 53 homes were impacted by City housing programs, representing a

$1,062,000 City investment in neighborhood & housing rehabilitation.

Before & After - 235 Olive Street

Construction Costs $33,712

Grants utilized
D CEO HELP Pilot
DCEO RLF
DCEO HUD Lead
DCEO HUD Healthy Homes

Before & After - 730 W. Berrien

Construction Costs $31,830

Grants utilized
D CEO HELP Pilot
DCEO RLF
DCEO HUD Lead
DCEO HUD Healthy Homes
THE CITY OF GALESBURG
Additional Resources - www.ci.galesburg.il.us

C i ty Council Agendas and Minutes City of Galesburg Municipal Code

C ollective Bargaining Agreements Annual Budget, CAFR, and Treasurer's

Report
Li ve Stream Meetings Archive
All resources
listed are
clickable
links
F o l l o w u s on Social Media

@cityofgalesburg @GalesburgPolice @KCAlertNetwork

 City of Galesburg
2020 Annual Report
Prepared by:
Cathy St. George