The Galesburg City Council moved through a brief agenda Monday evening, advancing annexation of land near Bunker Links Golf Course and opening bids for 13 vacant city-owned lots.
City Attorney Daniel Alcorn opened and read 14 bids submitted for the lots. The properties are former residential sites where the city previously demolished homes. Twelve of the 13 properties received at least one bid, with the minimum bid set at $100. Three properties received bids of at least $2,000.
The council is expected to consider the bids at a future meeting.
The council also received an annexation petition for a nearly 7-acre parcel adjacent to Lincoln Park and Bunker Links Golf Course. The city purchased the property in 2025 and currently rents it as farmland.
City officials said the city has no immediate plans for the site. Annexation would provide flexibility for possible future uses, including potential expansion of Bunker Links. The council is expected to vote on the annexation request at its next meeting.
The council also approved two property divisions Monday.
The first, located at 119 County Road 1300 N., just over a mile outside the southern city limits, will be split into two parcels of fewer than 2 acres each. A residence sits on each lot.
The second, located at 2320 Grand Ave., will also be divided into two parcels. One contains PZ’s Place & Steakhouse, while the owner plans to sell the second, a 1.36-acre lot.
All measures passed 6-0. Fifth Ward Council Member Heather Acerra was absent.
During public comment, one resident urged the city to reconsider its 2023 policy limiting flags displayed on city property to the United States, Illinois and military flags.
The resident said LGBTQ+ youth in Galesburg often experience bullying and argued that flying the Pride flag at City Hall during Pride Month would provide a visible sign of support.
The council approved a consent agenda that included a special event permit for Bridgeway Family Fun Day on June 13 on Windish Drive. The event will include a 5K fun run, bags tournament, food trucks, children’s activities and a craft and vendor fair.
City Manager Eric Hanson also highlighted the upcoming “Drive By, Drop Off, Do Good” food drive, scheduled for June 12 on the Public Square. City employees will collect donations for the FISH food pantry during the event.
In closing comments, council members recognized several upcoming community events and local milestones, including a CommunityGro fundraiser, the installation of a Little Free Library at Cooke Park, the 50th anniversary of Choral Dynamics, the 30th anniversary of Discovery Depot Children’s Museum, and recent volunteer efforts to plant trees at the former Churchill Junior High School site.
