The topic of public comment inspired a lot of public comment at Tuesday’s Galesburg city council meeting.
The council already approved changes to public comment in June, about a month after a new council was seated.
That included limiting comments to three minutes per person and moving public comments to the top of the meeting right after roll call, ensuring the public can address the council before any action is taken.
Initial suggestions to make commenters sign in and state the topic of their business were dropped at the time.
Now Ward Three Council Member Evan Miller has proposed moving public comments further back on the agenda, after miscellaneous business.
He said he was in favor of moving it the first time but has reconsidered, wanting to ensure city business takes priority.
“We’ve got people that are looking to bring business into town,” Miller said. “And I would rather them not have to sit through a four and a half hour meeting to get their item approved.”
An ordinance that would again move public comment was considered on first reading.
No other council members discussed it, but a handful of residents did during public comment.
“Here’s the problem with changing public comment again. You have to listen to us before you vote,” said Ward Five resident Jeannette Chernin. “This is what you signed up for and if you don’t want this job, someone else wants your seat. It might be the person who ran against you or it might be somebody else. But somebody else wants your seat.”
In all, 14 residents spoke during public comment, most of them taking up their entire three minutes of allotted time.
In addition to public comment, they discussed available activities in town for children and the dream of a new disc golf course at Lake Storey.
They shared concerns about hiring qualified candidates for city positions and about finding forgiveness and unity amid division.
They also discussed a $1 annual lease for the Galesburg Downtown Depot, which is a food, clothing, and hygiene pantry that operates in a city-owned building at 120 E. Main St.
The lease was unanimously approved by the council.
In other business:
- The mayor and council expressed their gratitude to Wayne Carl, who is stepping down as interim city manager after a 22-year career with the city as engineer and public works director.
- The council approved the appointment of former police chief John Schlaf as interim city manager on a 6-0 vote. Ward Four Council Member Dwight White abstained.
- City leaders announced the hiring of Michael Doi as public works director.
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