Manager Gerald Smith News Today

Position has been vacant since May 2.

The Galesburg City Council on Monday night tabled the purchase of two buildings from the Galesburg Rescue Mission until they can further investigate. The vote to table was 6-1 with only Dwight White opposing. Ward 3 Council member Evan Miller says that the Rescue Mission has done a good job of managing its clients but is worried that a facility under new management that might change. Mayor Peter Schwartzman said he also walked the area as well and didn't hear those concerns although he didn...

The city is interested in the property as a permanent homeless shelter.

The Galesburg City Council on Monday denied a one-month contract extension to the interim Public Works Director on Monday night. It was originally on the consent agenda before the contract extension was removed and then tabled, effectively leaving the city without a Public Works Director. The vote was 5-2. Voting to table was Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis, Evan Miller, Heather Acerra and Steve Cheesman. Ward 1 Council member Bradley Hix says he doesn't think the council has enough information t...

The interim public work director's contract expired Monday.

The Galesburg City Council on Monday night tabled the purchase of the Galesburg Rescue Mission buildings on E. Third St. Mayor Peter Schwartzman told WGIL that the city hoped to buy the two buildings to turn them into a warming shelter and a possible homeless shelter. City Manager Gerald Smith says there are no agencies that are immediately committed to partnerships but the city would pursue those partnerships as opportunities arose. 7th Ward Alderman Larry Cox says it might be "putting the...

Galesburg City Council in a work session Monday discussed potential partnerships involved in a community center. City Manager Gerald Smith says that the city has been reaching out to non-profits and community groups to meet in the last few months. Parks and Recreation Director Elizabeth Varner says 34 groups were invited and 21 scheduled meetings. Some of those groups include Bridgeway, Discovery Depot, Galesburg Art Centers, Community Hygiene Pantry, the YMCA and Salvation Army, Varner says tal...

The Galesburg City Council on Monday reconsidered and approved a classification, compensation, and organizational study for exempt and non-represented employees. Ward 3 Council member Kevin Wallace was previously opposed but changed his mind, joining Dwight White, Jaclyn Smith-Esters, and Sarah Davis in approving. Wallace apologized for his no vote previously, saying he takes his role as a union representative seriously. City Manager Gerald Smith previously said typically these kinds of studies ...

The search for a Galesburg Director of Public Works/Assistant City Manager is ongoing. City Manager Gerald Smith says that 7 applicants have been received but interviews are not being conducted at this time. Smith as City Manager has the sole power to hire for the position. As WGIL previously reported the position would have been filled by current Public Works Director Wayne Carl but he is set to retire this Spring. Smith said that the city feared it would be difficult to attract a candidate wit...

The Galesburg City Council got a presentation on Monday from a prospective contractor that would aid the city with a community branding plan. City Manager Gerald Smith says cities have increasingly focused on branding themselves, particularly since COVID-19. Steve Chandler with Chandlerthinks out of Franklin, Tennessee has a client list that is almost exclusively municipalities and tourism bureaus. Chandler says Galesburg won't be branded successfully just because it has a logo and tagline,...