Galesburg City Council passed a resolution on Monday night starting the process to partner with Salvation Army to have an emergency warming center at the Hawthorne Gym over the winter. City Manager Todd Thompson said the city doesn’t anticipate this would be the long-term home of the warming shelter but this was the best option on short notice. The idea would be to house individuals overnight during months when temperatures are cold. Salvation Army Director of Operations Meghan Templeton says it will be low-barrier meaning that drug or alcohol use won’t be permitted but if somebody used earlier and the day and are not disruptive, they’d be allowed to stay. Templeton says they will try to find other resources to house children, but only those 18 or older will be allowed. Alderman Bradley Hix asked about waiting until the next meeting to vote to tighten up the language and check owners of nearby properties. Ultimately the vote did come up and all members voted yes, except Jaclyn Smith-Esters who abstained because of her employment with the Salvation Army.
