Galesburg council approves $53,808 roof replacement, personnel raises and vehicle lease; tables property and delays road millage

The City of Galesburg City Council on July 10 approved several shop and personnel expenses and postponed further decisions on a road millage and a nuisance property.

Mayor Linda Marble told the council the building inspector had identified “soft spots all over the roof” and reported leaks at the fire department; the council approved a Rasmussen quote of $53,808 for a new roof and an additional $4,903 for gutters after a motion by Councilmember Roger Frazee that passed unanimously on roll call.

Why it matters: The roof project represents the largest single capital expense on the agenda and responds to an inspector report describing structural deterioration at a municipal facility. The personnel and vehicle decisions affect the city’s operating costs and workforce retention.

Council also approved a Simonds Softwash contract for $1,000 to clean building stucco instead of removing and repainting it. Frazee said the soft wash was an economical alternative; the motion passed unanimously.

On personnel, the council approved several items meant to retain and support public‑works staffing. The Personnel Committee’s recommendation to promote Bryan Free to Senior DPW Technician and grant a $2‑per‑hour raise (to $29.50) was approved on a 6–1 roll call vote, with Councilmember Glen Hawes dissenting. The council also approved hiring a seasonal part‑time DPW technician at a $17–$20 per hour range (6–1), and authorized a lease of a new city truck to the water operator as part of that employee’s fringe benefits; Mayor Marble reported Superintendent Ranes would contribute 50% of the cost the first year, and the truck lease motion passed 6–1 with Hawes voting no.

Two closed‑session personnel actions resulted in pay increases. Council approved a $1‑per‑hour raise for Dan Ellis and a salary increase for City Clerk Lisa McNees to $70,000 per year; both votes passed 6–1, with Hawes opposed.

The council also approved routine election staffing resolutions for the August election (Resolution 20250710) and the receiving board (Resolution 20250710A), and set a $40‑a‑day fee for mobile food truck permits after Clerk Lisa McNees reported that most nearby municipalities charge about $192 per year.

The council tabled further action on 89 E Battle Creek Street until the August 11 meeting after owner Hochstedler said demolition and rubble removal are complete but he is waiting for his architect and building‑inspector signoff. Separately, the council voted to delay advancing a proposed road millage so members could do additional research; Clerk McNees said placing a millage question on a ballot would cost the city roughly $3,000–$4,000.

Votes at a glance: Rasmussen roof and gutters — motion by Frazee, seconded by Harnden; roll call vote Aye: Wortinger, Tipken, Hawes, Harnden, Frazee, Chovanec, Marble; Nay: none; outcome: approved. Simonds Softwash $1,000 — motion by Frazee, seconded by Hawes; roll call vote unanimous; outcome: approved. Mobile food truck permit $40/day — motion by Tipken, seconded by Wortinger; roll call vote unanimous; outcome: approved. Truck lease to Superintendent Ranes — motion by Frazee, seconded by Wortinger; roll call vote 6–1 (Hawes Nay); outcome: approved. Senior DPW Technician (Bryan Free) $2/hour raise — motion by Harnden, seconded by Tipken; roll call vote 6–1 (Hawes Nay); outcome: approved. Seasonal part‑time DPW technician hire ($17–$20/hr) — motion by Harnden, seconded by Frazee; roll call vote 6–1 (Hawes Nay); outcome: approved. Dan Ellis $1/hr raise — motion by Wortinger; roll call vote 6–1 (Hawes Nay); outcome: approved. Lisa McNees salary to $70,000 — motion by Tipken, seconded by Wortinger; roll call vote 6–1 (Hawes Nay); outcome: approved. 89 E Battle Creek — motion to table by Frazee; voice vote carried; outcome: tabled to Aug. 11. Road millage — motion by Frazee to delay for research; voice vote carried; outcome: delayed.

Council adjourned at 9:10 p.m.