City of Knoxville City Council met April 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Call to Order: Mayor Maurer called the Meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
All recited 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, Attorney McCoy, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None. Also in attendance: Ms. Lisa Anderson, Mr. Mike McConnell, and two members of the press.
Public Comments: None.
Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the March 16, 2020 City Council Meeting and the March 19, 2020 Special Council Meeting. Alderman Myers seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
GENERAL REPORTS
Attorney Report: No report. Engineer Report: No report. Treasurer’s Report: No report. City Clerk’s Report: No report.
INFORMATION ITEMS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Side by Side Fun Run Request: Ms. Lisa Anderson requested that her group be allowed to hold a Side by Side Fun Run as a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s, which would start at the Sports Complex and leave the city limits at Fox Road, returning to Knoxville on East Main Street. Not all of the participants will have a city UTV sticker. The date will be determined by the lifting of the current Stay at Home Mandate. Alderman Gruner moved to allow this event, contingent on a two week notice of the date. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Ordinance 2020-03 – Regarding the Emergency Powers of the Mayor Review: By direction of the Council, Attorney McCoy will draft a sunset clause for this ordinance, which was passed at the March 19, 2020 Special Council meeting. Alderman Gruner also suggested that Section D – Curfew Authorized should be removed from the Ordinance as there are too many exceptions to regulate. Attorney McCoy will provide two new draft ordinances for the April 20, 2020 meeting, one with, and one without, the curfew clause.
2. Nomination of Mayor Pro Tem: Mayor Maurer nominated Alderman Myers to serve as Mayor Pro Tem in the case of his absence. Alderman Naslund moved to appoint Alderman Toby Myers as Mayor Pro Tem. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.
3. Spring Clean-Up Week Request for Postponement: Spring Clean-up had been set for the week of April 20, 2020. To protect the City sanitation workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to prevent additional traffic of unauthorized people rummaging through trash piles, postponing the event was suggested. Alderman Myers moved to postpone the City-wide Clean-up to a fall date to be determined. Alderman Naslund seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
4. Closing of City Sites - Continuation: Mayor Maurer noted that originally, as non- essential businesses, museums and libraries were to remain closed due to COVID-19 virus concerns through April 6, 2020. The Governor has now extended that date through April 30, 2020. By general consensus, the Knox County Museum, the Knox County Historic Sites, the Knoxville Public Library, and any city park playground equipment will remain closed until May 4, 2020, when the situation will be re-evaluated by the Council. The part time Tourism Associate at the Museum will not work and will not be paid during this time.
5. City Yard Waste Bag Sales: Due to COVID-19 precautions, City Hall is closed but has been selling yard waste bags upon demand. Mayor Maurer is trying to find another local vendor to sell the bags.
6. Delinquent Water Fees: Mayor Maurer confirmed that all penalties and delinquent fees for unpaid water bills are accruing as per ordinance. By general consent, these fees will continue to be charged, but no water will be physically shut off for those unable to pay during April 2020 for COVID-19-related circumstances. This item will be reviewed as these circumstances change.
7. Modify Roofing Contractor License Fee: Mayor Maurer reported that Building Administrator Rigg had requested that the annual fee for a roofing license permit be raised from $10.00 to $25.00 to cover administrative costs. Alderman Gruner moved to approve the fee increase. Alderman Myers seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
Mayor’s Report:
• A Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant Program has become available for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 virus. The business would fill out the application, which would then be filed by the City on behalf of the business.
• An Administrative Committee of the Whole will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 7:00 pm, via remote access.
• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 20, 2020 at 7:00 pm, via remote access.
• The Tuesday, April 7, 2020 meeting of the Public Library Board will not be held, but the Chairman and the Treasurer will approve any invoices due.
• Committee Chairs should begin preparing for any changes needed for the annual Appropriations Ordinance.
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: No report.
Adjourn: At 7:59 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Howard seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
http://kville.org/wp-content/uploads/minutes-agendas-newsletters/Minutes_2020-04-06.pdf
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