The Galesburg City Council on Monday held a first reading on a proposed amendment to its emergency demolition ordinance and approved several bids, including funding for a splash pad at Cooke Park.

A first reading was held on a proposed change to an ordinance regarding the emergency demolition of properties damaged by fire, an issue already faced by the city twice in 2026.

Currently, the ordinance calls for demolition when damage exceeds 75 percent of a structure’s value. Due to the difficulty in judging a structure’s value and damage costs in an emergency situation, the amendment would allow demolition when the structure “presents an imminent and substantial danger and repair would not be prudent.”

City Attorney Daniel Alcorn said the change is more “workable” and will make it “easier to make a judgment call” when a structure poses an imminent danger to public safety.

A second reading and vote will be held at the council’s next meeting.

Other city business

A $323,000 bid by Henley Group LLC for the design and construction of a splash pad at the new Cooke Park in southwestern Galesburg was approved unanimously. Of that total, $250,000 is covered by a state grant. A donation of $31,992.87 from the Galesburg Community Foundation will also go toward the cost.

City Manager Evan Hanson and multiple council members thanked Gayla Pacheco and Stephanie Grimes for their fundraising efforts, with Hanson noting it involved “a lot of bake sales and trivia nights.”

A bid of $82,402.71 by SHI International Corp. for the purchase of a base station and server backup system for data backup and recovery was also approved unanimously.

The council also unanimously approved a consent agenda containing the following items:
● A resolution reserving the city’s 2026 private activity bonding authority in the amount of $3,954,015, preventing those funds from being redistributed elsewhere by the state.
● A $27,400 bid from Legacy Corporation of Illinois for removal of accumulated wood waste from the oversized brush drop-off site on Pickard Road.
● Official receipt of the 2025 Fire & Police Commission Annual Report and the Dec. 31, 2025, quarterly investment schedule.

Public comment

During public comment, Darla Krejci, representing the nonprofit AGES Community, presented the city with a check for $6,724.89. The funds represent the city’s share of ticket sales from the annual “Walk of the Dead” haunted trail held outside the Lakeside Recreation Center, which drew 1,100 visitors during the Halloween 2025 season. The city also receives $500 in prizes donated for the annual Fishing Derby.

Krejci noted that the city has now received more than $50,000 in funds along with $3,000 in fishing derby donations over the nine-year history of the haunted trail.

Darla Krejci of AGES Community, center left, presents a $6,724.89 check to Mayor Peter Schwartzman, center right, during Monday’s Galesburg City Council meeting in council chambers. The funds represent the city’s share of ticket sales from the annual “Walk of the Dead” haunted trail. (Photo by Talbot Fisher/GCN)

Other public comment: David Selkirk, chair of the Golf Advisory Commission, said Bunker Links recorded 31,000 rounds of golf in 2025 and that there will be no price increase in season passes in 2026.

Closing comments

● Wendel Hunigan, Second Ward, highlighted the recent fires on Duffield Avenue on Feb. 8 and East Berrien Street on Feb. 21. He also invited Galesburg Fire Chief Randy Hovind to speak about the importance of working smoke detectors.
● Chuck Reynolds, Third Ward, said he will hold an open house at the United Methodist Church on March 12.
● Dwight White, Fourth Ward, noted that March is Women’s History Month and encouraged residents to learn about the accomplishments of Minnie M. Cox, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland and the “Black Angels” of New York City.
● Heather Acerra, Fifth Ward, also invited Chief Hovind to speak. Hovind announced the city’s and county’s adoption of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, meaning National Weather Service alerts will automatically be delivered to cellphones within the county.
● Greg Saul, Sixth Ward, thanked David Selkirk for his work at Bunker Links and noted that the success of many community events comes from the hard work of individuals.
● Steve Cheesman, Seventh Ward, noted the success of the Galesburg High School basketball teams and encouraged community spirit.
● Angelica Mangeiri, First Ward, announced the continuation of her monthly open house meetings at the Galesburg Public Library on the fourth Thursday of the month.