The Galesburg City Council tonight could agree to extend the city manager’s contract by another 2 years.
Todd Thompson, the city’s chief administrative officer, had an employment agreement that was automatically extended with it expired in January of last year.
Alderman will vote on whether to extend Thompson’s agreement until June 1, 2020. Thompson would receive a salary of about $145,000, an increase from the $139,000 he makes currently, which reflects the 2 percent raise all city employees except the City Manager received in 2017.
He’ll also get a $3,000 lump sum payment, giving a retroactive raise dating from Jan 2017 to 2018.
Council will also have on final reading the food truck ordinance that would expand where the businesses could operate in town.
City administration have consulted with different food truck and restaurant owners to balance the different interests.
There was little discussion from alderman on the matter at their last meeting but downtown restaurant owner Phil Dickinson voiced his support saying this would give food truck owners the “chance to have a life.”
Phil Dickinson, owner of the Landmark Cafe on Seminary Street told the council at their last meeting food trucks could only stand to make the downtown more “vibrant.”
Council could also approve a $680,000 revolving loan for Jupiter Machine Tool Inc. which last week announced plans to construct a facility in Galesburg and bring 52 jobs in three years time.
The loan would be for working capital and inventory. Because the company is relocating, alderman are also considering allowing them a $100,000 relocation grant.
Alderman can also approve a bid from Gunther Construction to reconstruct Prairie Street from Dayton to Park Lane. This street is brick currently but will not be after its reconstructed.
Council decided narrowly to remove the classification that protected this section as a brick street. The vote was 3-3 with Mayor John Pritchard breaking the tie.
