Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met May 18.

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 7:02 PM. All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Eiker, Gruner, Hillier, Hope, Howard, Myers, and Naslund; Mayor Maurer, Treasurer Bivens, Chief of Police Poyner, Attorney McCoy, Water Superintendent Johnson, and City Clerk Wilt. Alderman Benjamin joined the meeting at 7:08 pm. 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 May 4, 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: Mayor Maurer reported for Engineer Cooper that the draft permit for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System for the Wastewater Treatment Plant had been submitted to the IL EPA.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Bivens noted that besides the May 1 report, there was a corrected April 1 report with notations.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

Payment of City Bills: Alderman Howard moved to approve payment of the City Bills; Alderman Gruner seconded the motion which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

INFORMATION ITEMS

• The Zoom Meeting platform currently in use for Council meetings has a required upgrade before May 30, 2020, so Council members must perform the upgrade before the June 1, 2020 Council meeting to avoid delays in attending the online meeting.

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

OLD BUSINESS

1. Summer Community Band: At the April 20, 2020 Council meeting, it was reported that Band Director Bob Clark was cancelling the Summer Band series due to COVID-19 concerns. Alderman Eiker moved to officially cancel 2020 Summer Community Band. Alderman Benjamin seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Draft Ordinance – Use of Right of Ways: The damaged mailbox at 117 Country Ct, discussed at the May 4, 2020 Council meeting, has been paid for in full by insurance. Attorney McCoy presented a draft ordinance regarding damage to property within the Street Right-of-Way. Alderman Gruner moved to approve Ordinance 2020-06 Use of Right of Ways. Alderman Myers seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

2. Hire Part Time Cemetery/Parks Mower: Alderman Hillier recommended that two additional seasonal part time mowers be hired for cemetery and park mowing, to give flexibility in scheduling and to cover absences. The need will be noted on the City Facebook page and an ad will be placed in the Knoxville Bulletin.

3. Wheel Tax Sticker Sales: Wheel Tax sticker sales are scheduled to begin on June 1, 2020. With City Hall closed, it is too expensive and labor-intensive to sell the stickers over the phone and then mail them. This item will be placed on the June 1, 2020 Council agenda. It was suggested to mail the sticker reminders in waves to cut down on traffic in City Hall. In anticipation of the re-opening of City Hall in June, a plexiglass shield will be fashioned for the counter area.

4. Proposed Knoxville Greeting Sign: Mr. Marty Short with McFly Design submitted a proposal for two carved log signs that say Knoxville, to be placed at either end of the Main Street boulevard. Due to the uncertainty of funding after the COVID-19 pandemic, by mutual consent, the Council decided against contracting for the sign at this time. Mayor Maurer will let Mr. Short know.

Mayor’s Report:

• Senator Chuck Weaver’s office has sent emails regarding proposed infrastructure grants. The following list was suggested: City Hall roof, sidewalk plan, sewer lining, culverts, replace/repair fire hydrants.

• The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet in person on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 7:00 pm at the Old Courthouse to consider two requests.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 7:00 pm, via remote access.

• The Public Library Board is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 7:00, but the status of that meeting has not been determined.

• City Clerk Wilt will complete the 2019-2020 financials and distribute them to assist in preparing for the annual Appropriations Ordinance.

Committee Reports

• Administration: Alderman Myers requested that discussing reopening City buildings

and resuming in-person Council meetings be placed on the June 1, 2020 Council meeting agenda. The City-wide yard sales originally set for June 12-13, 2020, are also in question.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: No report.

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: Alderman Eiker reported that the Street Department has been pouring concrete on the North Side of the Public Square. He also asked about replacing the Council members’ computer tablets due to their age.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 7:50 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_2020-05-18.pdf