Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson joined WGIL’s Jay Redfern and Tyler Gumm on Galesburg’s Morning News to preview the Monday, June 2, 2025, City Council meeting. The City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the City Council Chambers.
Key topics from this morning's discussion include:
- Vacant Lot Sales: In Aprl, the city sought bids for 13 vacant city-owned lots, primarily resulting from demolitions. The goal is to sell these properties, reducing maintenance costs and returning them to the tax roll. The bid opening process is tonight.
- Acquisition of Public Square Parcels: The city is looking to purchase four parcels of land on the northeast corner of the Public Square for $300,000 through the forgiveness of an existing loan. These parcels are considered strategically important to give the city "control of the land around the circle," which is a "signature piece of our downtown." This control is seen as crucial for potential future redevelopment, such as a hotel or a significant structure, where having sufficient space is essential.
- Simmons Street Project Update: The Simmons Street project is progressing, potentially ahead of schedule. The main challenge is the work beneath the ground, including utilities. They are aiming to be out of a the Prairie Street intersection by the end of the month and move towards Kellogg Street. The project is complex due to the density of utilities underground in a downtown setting.
- Bunker Links Land Acquisition: The council is considering purchasing 6.6 acres near Bunker Links Municipal Golf Course for $63,000 from the Economic Development Fund. This opportunity arose unexpectedly due to a right of first refusal dating back to an early 90s easement. While there isn't an exact plan yet, the land is valuable for potentially expanding park ground (north of the fishing ponds at Lincoln Park) rather than solely golf course use, though it could offer some flexibility for the golf course on the western edge. This expansion is seen as an opportunity to enhance a "true gem of our city" in the Lincoln Park and Lake Storey area.
- Airport Fuel Farm Project: The city is moving forward with an engineering agreement for the Airport Fuel Farm project, largely funded by Rebuild Illinois grants. The existing fuel farm is decades old and needs replacement to meet new EPA regulations. This project, years in the making, will provide new, compliant tanks and expand fuel service for the airport, allowing it to service additional planes with different fuel types.
- Energy Aggregation Program: The energy aggregation program, in place since 2012, will save residents 13% on summer electricity bills through July 2026 compared to the standard Ameren rate. While power bills have generally increased due to inflationary pressure on commodities, the aggregation program is still providing savings compared to what residents would pay without it. The current rate is 10.89 cents per kilowatt-hour through the program, compared to over 12 cents with Ameren. The program is an opt-out program, which was approved by voters in 2012 and is standard for such programs to secure better rates. Residents already participating do not need to do anything to remain enrolled.
- Proclamations: The mayor will read two proclamations: one designating June as LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH and the other designating June 19 as “Juneteenth” Day in Galesburg.