City of Knoxville City Council met Feb. 16
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Call to Order: Mayor Myers called the Regular Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
All rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Goff, Hillier, Hope, Moore, Rainey, Reed, and Taylor, Mayor
Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Attorney McCoy, Chief of Police Poyner and City Clerk Kirchgessner. Absent: Alderman Eiker.
Also present: Mr. Charlie Gruner, Mr. Bernard Mates, Ms. Diane Munson, Ms. Penny Flesner, and Ms. Jill Davis.
Public Comments: Mr. Gruner stated that he expressed opposition to two ordinances on the agenda. Mr. Gruner stated that research has determined multiple negative effects. Ms. Diane Munson stated that she was also in opposition to two of the ordinances on the agenda. Ms. Munson explained that the increased revenue benefits would not outweigh the negative effect a cannabis facility would bring to Knoxville. Mr. Bernand Mates also expressed his opposition to the ordinances. Mr. Mates requested clarification of the ordinances including whether there was a limit to the number of permits.
Approval of Minutes: Alderman Hillier moved to approve the Minutes of February 2, 2026, City Council Meeting. Alderman Taylor seconded the motion which passed by voice vote seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
Attorney Report: No report.
Engineer Report: No report
GENERAL REPORTS
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Barnum stated that all Certificates of Deposit (CDs) that reached maturity in February were managed and CDs will be overseen at Tompkins State Bank, where they secured an interest rate of 3.70%.
City Clerk’s Report: No report.
Payment of City Bills: Alderman Hillier moved to approve Payment of City Bills. Alderman Hope seconded the motion which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and (1) Absent.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
1. Ordinance 2026-02 Authorizing Sale of Certain Personal Property: There is obsolete equipment and electronics at City Hall. Alderman Hope moved to approve Ordinance 2026-02 Authorizing Sale of Certain Personal Property. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
2. Ordinance 2026-03 Regulating Cannabis Establishments: Alderman Moore moved to approve Ordinance 2026-03 Regulating Cannabis Establishments as presented. Alderman Taylor seconded the motion which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
3. Ordinance 2026-04 Amending Chapter 16 Article 2 Regarding Cannabis and Paraphernalia: Alderman Hillier moved to approve Ordinance 2026-04 Amending Chapter 16 Article 2 Regarding Cannabis and Paraphernalia as presented. Alderman Moore seconded the motion which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and (1) Absent.
Mayor’s Report:
• Mayor Myers stated that the state of Illinois was looking into dropping legal alcohol consumption limits to .05.
• Mayor Myers also stated that the 1% gas tax is paying off. He stated that the income had exceeded the wheel tax stickers revenue.
• Mayor Myers stated that Officer Logan Butler had submitted his resignation and wished him the best in future endeavors.
• Mayor Myers also stated that there were a couple of officers interested in employment with the city. Myers stated that it would be added to next agenda.
• Mayor Myers also stated that the city would soon be hiring summer help to assist with mowing and other clean up.
• The next regularly scheduled Council Meeting will be on March 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
Committee Reports:
• Administration: No report.
• Cemetery: No report.
• Economic Development: No report.
• Parks: No report.
• Police: No report
• Sanitation: No report.
• Streets: No report.
• Water/Sewer: Alderman Rainey posed a question to Attorney McCoy regarding a property on Main Street where the owner left an outstanding water bill. The property sold and owner moved so a lien could not be filed. Owner has been residing in a home in Knoxville that is now in his name. Alderman Rainey asked if the amount could be transferred to the new property which currently has an outstanding balance and due for shutoff. Attorney McCoy said he would investigate. Future acquisition of a water pump cabinet is estimated at $60,000 to $67,000.
Adjourn: At 7:40 PM, Alderman Hillier moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Hope seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. The meeting was adjourned.
https://kville.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Minutes-2-16.pdf
