Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Jan. 20.

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, Hope, Howard, Myers, and Naslund; Mayor Maurer, Treasurer Bivens, Chief of Police Poyner, City Clerk Wilt, Engineer Cooper. Absent: Attorney McCoy.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the January 6, 2020 City Council Meeting; Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: No report.

Engineer Report: Engineer Cooper noted that the sewer lining project videos will be viewed to finalize the project, following which the City will be notified to release the retainage.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Bivens directed the group to review online the monthly treasurer’s report and accompanying comment sheet. Alderman Myers asked if City funds can be invested for a better interest rate. Treasurer Bivens thought that additional investing options may not be available for municipal funds, but she will check. She also noted that she would be moving excess funds in the TIF Money Market account to investments.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

Payment of City Bills: Alderman Gruner moved to approve payment of the City Bills;

Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

Information Items:

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

OLD BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Purchase of New Sanitation Truck: Alderman Myers stated that a new garbage truck from McNeilus will cost $176,562.00. The old yard waste truck has already been sold for $10,000.00. The Council discussed whether to purchase the new truck outright, or to finance it at approximately 3.5% interest. Alderman Myers moved to purchase the new sanitation truck outright. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes. Most of the necessary funds will be taken from the Sanitation Capital Equipment Money Market account, with the balance to be taken from the OMR checking account.

2. Purchase of New Police Vehicle: Alderman Naslund presented information on a new 2020 Ford Explorer for the Police Department, at a cost of $38,293.88. The old 2013 Explorer will be decommissioned and the radios and equipment can be switched from the old vehicle to the new one. Instead of selling the 2013 vehicle, the Street Department may replace a current truck with this vehicle, to be used to transport employees between locations and to haul small equipment. Alderman Naslund moved to purchase the 2020 Ford Explorer. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes. Mayor Maurer will put in a request for TIF funding approval for one-third of the cost of the vehicle.

3. Resolution 2020-03 – Highway Closure for St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Alderman Hillier moved to approve Resolution 2020-03 to hold the St. Patrick’s Parade on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 1:00 pm. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

Mayor’s Report:

• The next Council meeting will be on Monday, February 3, 2020 at 7:00 pm.

• The next Library Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 7:00 pm.

• Mayor Maurer will meet with Ron Nelson, President of the Knoxville Youth League on Tuesday, January 21, to discuss options for setting up a baseball diamond within the City. It was decided to present the option of the unimproved portion of the cemetery at the far south end, as long as it meets dimension requirements.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Administrative – Myers: Alderman Myers reported that the Knox County Historic Sites is beginning a bathroom remodel in the Old Courthouse. The group will be doing their own work. Mayor Maurer suggested that the group apply for a TIF grant.

Cemetery – Hillier: Alderman Hillier praised the Street Department for the snow removal over the past weekend.

Community & Economic Development – Benjamin: None. 

Parks – Howard: None.

Police – Naslund: None.

Sanitation: None.

Streets – Eiker:

Water/Sewer – Gruner: None.

Adjourn: At 7:36 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Eiker seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

http://kville.org/wp-content/uploads/minutes-agendas-newsletters/Minutes_2020-01-20.pdf