Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Sept. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: Mayor Maurer called the Regular City Council 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, Naslund; Mayor Maurer, Attorney McCoy, Engineer Cooper, Treasurer Bivens, Chief of Police Poyner, Water Superintendent Johnson, City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None. Also in attendance: Mr. Dan Hiett with John Graham & Associates, Mrs. Dawn Hutchison, Mrs. Tara Bahnks, Mr. Shawn Mason, and one member of the press.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the September 3, 2019 City Council Meeting; Alderman Benjamin seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with one (1) Abstention.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: No report.

Engineer Report: No report.

Treasurer’s Report: No report.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

Payment of City Bills: Alderman Hillier moved to approve payment of the City Bills; Alderman Gruner seconded the motion which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

Information Items:

• Mayor Maurer noted that the monthly departmental operating reports were available in the online Council packet.

• Dan Hiett with John Graham & Associates addressed the Council concerning the new healthcare insurance rates for dependents, which are significantly higher than in the previous plan. By general consensus, the Council will remain with the new company National General. Alderman Myers asked Clerk Wilt to prepare a spreadsheet outlining what was paid in the past for United Healthcare vs the new rates. The way the premium is paid out could be redistributed.

• Mayor Maurer reminded the Council of a memo from December 3, 2007 outlining the lines of spending authority for items over $500.00. Items over $2500.00 require Council approval. Attorney McCoy noted that the cut off for expenditures requiring a formal bid process should be $20,000.00 and over, not $25,000.00. The City will continue to follow these guidelines with the noted change.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Library Windows: Mayor Maurer noted that the library window replacement project was almost complete, but noted that there were additional items needed that were not addressed in the initial bid. He will ask Glass Specialty to give an estimate on trimming out the windows on the inside, plus replacing the front door and the two windows in the alleyway. He also read a note from Mrs. Ann Ehler, thanking the Council for investing in this project and commenting on how much improved the building looks.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Sewer Lining Bid Results: Engineer Cooper provided the 9-13-19 bid tabulation for the rehabilitation of sanitary sewers on Douglas, Line, and Pleasant Streets. The low bid of $67,182.75 from Visu-Sewer was well under the budgeted amount of $120,000.00. He recommended accepting the bid, and suggested that additional blocks of Depot Street could be added to the project at a cost of around $19,000.00, which would still be below the budgeted amount. Alderman Naslund moved to accept the bid from Visu-Sewer. Alderman Myers seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes. Alderman Gruner moved to accept a change order to add Depot Street to the project. Alderman Myers seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

2. Knox County Scenic Drive – Knoxville Stop Request: Knoxville Stop Chairman Dawn Hutchison addressed the Council with requests and clarifications for setting up and maintaining the Knoxville Stop of the Knox County Scenic Drive on Oct 5-6 and 12-13, 2019. By general consensus, all requests were allowed, including using city owned land for parking, allowing vendor tents to remain up in the park between event dates, and posting signage. Mrs. Hutchison will work with Chief Poyner and Superintendent of Public Works Rossell on those points. She also requested a donation towards entertainment and a shuttle bus between Drive stops. Alderman Hillier moved to give the Knoxville Scenic Drive Stop $1,500.00 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

3. Big Blue Bullet Blitz 5K Request: Mrs. Tara Bahnks, principal at Mable Woolsey Elementary School, requested permission to hold this event on city streets on Saturday, September 21, 2019, and to place banners advertising the event. Alderman Myers moved to approve the request. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

4. Park Trash Receptacles: Alderman Howard deferred to Treasurer Bivens, who has been researching the purchase of new trash receptacles throughout the downtown area. She suggested molded polyethylene cans for $285.00 each. Twenty containers are required for a total of $5,700.00, and Knoxville High School and the Knoxville Community Fund will be contacted to embellish the containers with appropriate artwork. The old concrete containers can be turned into planters. Alderman Myers moved to purchase twenty trash receptacles from Dultmeier Sales. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes. It was suggested to pay for these with half from Sanitation and half from TIF. Mayor Maurer will check with the Economic Development Group to see if this project would qualify for TIF funding.

Mayor’s Report:

• Vicky Mundwiler, museum associate, is off on medical leave. Her hours are being covered by the back-up associate Pat Ericson plus volunteers from the Knox County Historic Sites.

• Mayor Maurer and Chief Poyner met with Mr. Ron Formhals, owner of the strip of land just north of the Police Station to discuss a possible sale or trade with the City.

• The Knox County Fairgrounds has asked for funding to help purchase an entrance sign. Previous Council approval was given for a different sign several years ago, but the project never came to fruition. Mayor Maurer and Clerk Wilt will research to refresh the Council on its previous decision.

• Bruner, Cooper, and Zuck is holding a 60 year celebration on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 from 4:00-6:00 pm.

• The next Council meeting will be on Monday, October 7, 2019 at 7:00 pm. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Administrative – Myers: Alderman Myers asked that sidewalk replacement be added to the next agenda.

Cemetery – Hillier: None.

Community & Economic Development – Benjamin: Alderman Benjamin noted that the Walking School Bus project is happening two times per week. An adult supervises a group of children walking to school to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Parks – Howard: None.

Police – Naslund: None. 

Sanitation: None.

Streets – Eiker: None. 

Water/Sewer – Gruner: None.

Adjourn: At 7:55 PM, Alderman Hillier moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Gruner seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

http://kville.org/wp-content/uploads/minutes-agendas-newsletters/Minutes_2019-09-16.pdf