City Matters: Housing study, video gaming, tax levy and more

Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson joins WGIL's Tyler Gumm and Jay Redfern to preview the Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, Galesburg City Council meeting.

Public hearings and a presentation on the housing study start at 5 p.m. The regularly scheduled meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Galesburg City Hall.

Among the topics for tonight's meeting are:

Public Hearings

• Fiscal Year 2025 city budget
• DCEO CDBG Public Infrastructure Grant: Resolution of support and commitment of local funds for the submittal of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to the State of Illinois for storm sewer rehabilitation near South Street and Monmouth Boulevard.

Housing Study presentation

• Key challenges facing Galesburg related to housing
• Impact of housing availability on city growth
• Long-term process and gradual improvements in housing

Video Gaming Licenses Ordinance

• Will the Council elect to enact a moratorium or cap on video gaming licenses in Galesburg?

Tax Levy

• Based on the current Estimated Assessed Value (EAV) for the 2024 tax levy, the estimated property tax rate for the City would be approximately $2.433 or $0.010 less than the 2023 tax levy rate. The property tax rate is applied to individual tax bills.

Playground Equipment Purchase

• The City Council will be asked to approve for the purchase of playground equipment for the Cooke property in the amount of $111,018.30.
• The total cost of the playground equipment, including freight, is $192,488.00. The grant offered by GameTime will provide $81,469.70 in discounted pricing for the purchase of the equipment with the city’s share being $111,018.30. This purchase also serves as part of the OSLAD funded renovation project at the park; therefore, the City will be reimbursed for 50% of the city’s $111,018.30 local share utilizing the OSLAD grant. City staff recommend approval of the purchase.