Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met June 3.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: Mayor Maurer called the Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

All rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Benjamin, Eiker, Gruner, Hillier, Howard, Myers and Naslund; Mayor Maurer, Treasurer Bivens, Attorney McCoy, Chief of Police Poyner, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None. Also in attendance: Mr. Zach Shaw, Mr. Cooper Wilt, Mr. Jared Poplett, and one member of the press.

Public Comments: Cooper Wilt, recent graduate of Knoxville High School, thanked the Council for the donation toward Project Graduation, which was held on May 11.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the May 20, 2019 City Council Meeting; Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

GENERAL REPORTS

Engineer Report: Mayor Maurer reported for Engineer Cooper that a new plan is being considered for the town square regrind project. He suggested that all sidewalk modifications be completed this summer, and to delay the street grinding until 2020, when the entire square could be done instead of just doing half each year. However, that requires that all the sidewalk modifications must be completed this year, which could possibly put a strain on the Street Department. Engineer Cooper will report in detail at the next meeting.

INFORMATION ITEMS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

1. MidCentury Communications Franchise Agreement: The agreement, drafted by MidCentury, asks for a twenty year agreement. The current, similar, agreement with Comcast is for ten years. Whereas Comcast also offers a television service revenue, MidCentury does not offer such service. MidCentury does not want to change from twenty years. Mayor Maurer contacted Elmwood, Farmington, and Canton, who all have recent agreements with MidCentury. Two of the three have an agreement just as the one proposed to Knoxville, and each community is satisfied with the arrangement. Alderman Myers moved to approve Ordinance 2019-06 Franchise with Fiber Optic Service. Alderman Howard seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

2. MidCentury Communications Property Purchase: Mayor Maurer reported that Aaron Buck from MidCentury was unable to attend the meeting, but the MidCentury board had approved purchasing the eastern half of the City owned lot on Hebard and Ann Sts for $7500.00. The lot will need to be subdivided for the 122’ x 165’ lot. Attorney McCoy will draft a formal ordinance when the contract is finalized.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Request to Hold Praise in the Park in July/Post Banner: Alderman Hillier moved to approve holding Praise in the Park on Wednesdays in July in the space east of the Courthouse, and to allow posting a banner at the intersection of Division St and Rte 150. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

2. Library Roof Repairs: Alderman Benjamin moved to contract with Dower’s Roofing to repair the Library alley overhang for $1627.00. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

3. City Hall Roof Repairs: The recent rains revealed a leak in the roof at City Hall. Armour Roofing presented two options: $785.00 to repair the roof, and $9070.00 or $9880.00 to replace the roof, depending on the materials used. The roof was last replaced in 2006. Concerns about merely coating over the current roofing instead of removing it and re-roofing were raised. By general consensus, Superintendent of Public Works Rossell will be directed to seek an additional estimate for a traditional roof replacement.

4. Resolution 2019-43 – Hire Marty Sterr – Utility Worker: Mayor Maurer submitted the resolution, which would be combining two part time jobs into one full time position, at a rate of $13.75. Alderman Myers countered by noting that the pay for Mr. Sterr’s painting expertise, the skill he was hired for initially, is still well below the prevailing wage for painting. Alderman Myers suggested a rate of $14.50, and would also like to realign wages for two additional Public Works full time employees to $14.50 to match it. Those additional raises will be discussed at the June 17, 2019 meeting. Alderman Howard moved to approve the resolution, with a starting rate of $14.50. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

Mayor’s Report:

 The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, June 17, 2019 at 7:00 pm.

 The next Action Team meeting is Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 5:30 pm at First Midwest Bank.

 The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at 7:00 at the Old Courthouse to consider a request from Lynn Unrath to rezone 705 S Broad St from R-1-B to B, and to review a portable storage container ordinance.

 Big Bang Brain Trivia for Fireworks will be June 15, 2019.

 The Water Department has suggested that the grease traps for the local restaurants need to be inspected on a regular schedule, with fines for non-compliance. City employees end up working on the traps and using enzymes to dissolve the grease with no reimbursement.

 Knoxville Mercantile has requested to serve food and ice cream during the July 4 fireworks. Mr. Keith Vaughn will be invited to the next Council meeting.

Committee Reports

 Administration: No report

 Economic Development: No report

 Parks: No report

 Police: Alderman Naslund will bring Police Station roof replacement estimates to the next Council meeting.

 Sanitation: No report

 Streets: No report

 Water/Sewer: Alderman Gruner reported that the Water Department employees have been jetting a lot of sewers due to the recent excessive rains. They are also performing many locates for MidCentury Fiber. The sewer lining on Douglas St was damaged during the winter, and will need to be relined in the future.

Adjourn: At 8:00 PM, Alderman Hillier moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Benjamin seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

http://kville.org/wp-content/uploads/minutes-agendas-newsletters/Minutes_2019-06-03.pdf