Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met April 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Due to the current Illinois Governor’s Executive Order regarding the COVID-19 Stay at Home Mandate, this Regular City Council meeting was held via remote access in accordance with current Open Meetings Act guidelines.

Call to Order: Mayor Maurer called the Meeting to order at 7:00 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: one member of the press.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the April 6, 2020 City Council Meeting. Alderman Eiker 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.

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

Alderman Benjamin seconded the motion which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

INFORMATION ITEMS

• Mayor Maurer read the Motorcycle Awareness Month Proclamation, provided by the Central Illinois ABATE.

• Ordinance 2020-04 Roofing License Permit Increase was issued after the Council voted to approve the increase at the April 6, 2020 Council meeting.

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

OLD BUSINESS

1. Ordinance 2020-05 – Sunset Clause for Emergency Powers of the Mayor: On the Council’s request, Attorney McCoy presented a draft ordinance that allowed for a sunset clause that goes into effect upon assumption or at the first meeting after the election of a new mayor, plus some additional edits concerning public notification of a state of emergency pertaining to Ordinance 2020-03, which was approved at a Special Council meeting on March 19, 2020. Alderman Gruner moved to approve Ordinance 2020-05 Emergency Powers of the Mayor. Alderman Myers seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

NEW BUSINESS

1. 2020 Street Maintenance Program: Engineer Cooper shared a map of the proposed 2020 Street Maintenance Program. Henderson Road work is eligible for federal funding, but that may not happen this year due to federal delays. $55,000.00 has already been appropriated for the Jackson Street culvert project. Monthly Motor Fuel tax receipts will be down due to less fuel purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Engineer Cooper recommended appropriating $45,000.00 for the oil and chip program with work to be done by Knox County, and to hold off on the City Square milling and resurfacing and the Henderson Road projects until next year since funding is unsure. He also noted that the railing and concrete on the sidewalk near the intersection of Route 150 and North St needs repairs. Alderman Eiker moved to approve $45,000.00 for the 2020-2021 oil and chip program. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

2. Appointment of City Attorney, City Engineer, Building Administrator, Auditor:

Based on the recommendations made at the Administrative Committee meeting on April 14, 2020, Alderman Myers moved to approve the annual appointments of Building Administrator Larry Rigg Sr, Auditor Ben Burgland with Blucker, Kneer & Assoc, City Engineer Kevan Cooper with Bruner, Cooper, & Zuck, and City Attorney Rob McCoy with Miller, Hall & Triggs. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

3. Employee Compensation: Based on the recommendations made at the Administrative Committee meeting on April 14, 2020, Alderman Eiker moved to give all full time employees a $1.00 increase per hour, the part time employees making over $10.00 per hour a $0.25 increase per hour, and the part time employees making less than $10.00 per hour an increase to bring each employee up to $10.00. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by with eight (8) Yes votes. The Illinois minimum wage will increase to $10.00 per hour on July 1, 2020.

4. Sale of Annual Dog Tags – Possible Date Change: As City Hall is closed to the public for the COVID-19 precautions, by general consensus, dog and cat tags will be sold starting when City Hall reopens, instead of May 1. The tag deadline will be postponed to July 1. Any tags sold will still expire on May 31, 2021.

5. July 4 Fireworks: The fireworks for the annual July 4 celebration must be contracted by May 1. The fireworks company has suggested contracting the display for July 4, but leaving the option open to provide the display on an alternate date later in the year, depending on the IL State Stay at Home Order. Alderman Myers moved to contract the purchase of fireworks for 2020-2021. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

6. Summer Community Band Cancellation: Community Summer Band Director Bob Clark had told City Hall that due to the COVID-19 concerns, he was cancelling 2020 summer band, which normally practices in May and plays in June. By general consensus, the Council agreed to table the discussion until the May 18, 2020 meeting.

Mayor’s Report:

• Kaser’s Power Equipment is currently selling City yard waste bags since City Hall is closed.

• The Illinois Department of Revenue has begun sending a monthly Cannabis Use Tax check for a state excise tax on cannabis sales.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, 2020 at 7:00 pm, via remote access.

• The Mayor viewed a webinar on the Business Grant Program on April 15.

• There will be a webcast on April 27, 2020 on Public Sector Short Term Financing During COVID-19.

• Knox County currently has 9 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Committee Reports

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: Alderman Benjamin reported that the Knoxville Food Pantry currently has sufficient food to meet the needs of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Parks: No report.

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report.

• Water/Sewer: Alderman Gruner provided a written report about purchasing a replacement metal detector for the Water Department, and about contacting Bock, Inc for a list of preventative maintenance items for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Adjourn: At 7:49 PM, Alderman Gruner 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_2020-04-20.pdf