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Galesburg council approves $70,000 storm cleanup contract, closes compost site
Summary
The City of Galesburg approved up to $70,000 for Trombly Tree Service to clear tornado debris and voted to close the municipal compost site until further notice; councilmembers recorded a 6-0 vote with one abstention on the contract.
The City of Galesburg City Council voted May 21 to authorize up to $70,000 for Trombly Tree Service to remove tornado debris and to close the municipal compost site until further notice.
DPW Supervisor Ranes told the council the city will arrange curbside brush pickup for residents and clean the municipal compost pile, which he said is at maximum capacity. "The DPW compost is at max capacity," Ranes said, adding that current burning restrictions and a lack of city equipment prevent on-site disposal. He said the City of Kalamazoo offered the use of its compost area at the corner of Michigan and Nazareth for disposal.
Erick Trombly of Trombly Tree Service outlined the contractor's plan and costs, saying his crew would bring "three machines, four trucks" and a woodchipper and work eight hours per day. Trombly gave an estimate of $70,000, calculated at about $10,000 per day, and said the figure represents the most the city would pay though he hoped the work would take less time. He estimated a maximum of three days to clear the compost site.
Councilmember Roger Frazee made a motion to close the compost area until further notice; Ryan Harnden seconded and the voice vote carried. Later, Councilmember Glen Hawes moved to approve Trombly Tree Service for storm cleanup at a cost not to exceed $70,000; Frazee seconded. On a roll-call vote, Frazee, Harnden, Chovanec, Tipken, Hawes and Mayor Linda Marble voted "Aye," no members voted "Nay," and Councilmember Carol Wortinger abstained. The motion carried 6-0 with 1 abstention.
During the public comment period a resident thanked the city for its efforts and asked whether the cleanup would include the trailer park; the transcript does not record an answer to that question. In council comments, Councilmember Stanley Chovanec asked about cemetery cleanup. DPW Technician Ellis said one headstone was broken, the rest of the cemetery was mostly cleaned up, and DPW would finish the cleanup this week.
Mayor Linda Marble thanked volunteers who helped clear debris over the weekend, saying, "this is what a small community does, they come help one another, it was great to see." The special meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
