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.