Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met June 25.

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, Hope, Howard, and Myers; Mayor Maurer, Treasurer Bivens, Chief of Police Poyner, Attorney McCoy, and City Clerk Wilt. Alderman Hillier joined the meeting at 7:06 pm. Absent: Alderman Naslund. Also in attendance: Mr. Keith Vaughn, and one member of the press.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Eiker moved to approve the Minutes of the June 1, 2020 City Council Meeting. Alderman Gruner 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 our annual oil and chip project is scheduled for the week of August 3, 2020.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Bivens noted the water main loan, due to be paid off in February 2024, could be paid off in August 2020 from the Water Capital Improvement Money Market account. There is about $88,000.00 left to pay on this loan with 2.5% interest. This item will be placed on the July 6, 2020 Council meeting agenda.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

Payment of City Bills: Alderman Myers moved to approve payment of the City Bills; Alderman Eiker seconded the motion which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

INFORMATION ITEMS

• Keith Vaughn, owner of Knoxville Hardware, addressed the Council. His plans for family entertainment after the Hardware store closed have been altered due to COVID-19 restrictions. He would now like to offer axe throwing, along with ice cream and candy, and has added a full kitchen. He would like to have a liquor license. The Council requested a business plan, and will have the item added to the July 6, 2020 agenda.

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

Alderman Benjamin left the meeting at 7:15 pm due to another commitment.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Delinquent Water Accounts: Due to COVID-19 actions, terminating water service for delinquent accounts had been temporarily stopped following action taken at the April 6, 2020 Council meeting. Via memo, Account Specialist Tuthill informed the Council that all on the current delinquent list are habitually late, with some accounts in arrears even before the pandemic. By general consensus, the Council agreed that termination procedures for non-payment of water accounts could resume.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Permission for Fire Department to Post Signs on City Property: Mayor Maurer reported that the Fire Department has requested to post fundraising event signs in Central Park. By general consensus, the signs should be posted in the park and not on the boulevard, and must be removed when the event is over. Alderman Gruner moved to allow the signage to be posted in Central Park, with those restrictions. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

2. Resolution 2020-45 – Hire Seasonal Grounds Maintenance Worker David Wilt: Alderman Gruner moved to approve Resolution 2020-45 to hire David Wilt at $10.00 per hour. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and two (2) Absent. Mr. Wilt has passed all pre-employment screening. It was also noted that Grounds Maintenance Worker Robert Fields passed away on June 10, 2020.

3. Resolution 2020-46 – Hire Seasonal Grounds Maintenance Worker Ethan Wood: Alderman Howard moved to approve Resolution 2020-46 to hire Ethan Wood at $10.00 per hour, contingent on passing his final pre-employment screening test. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and two (2) Absent.

4. Resolution 2020-47 – Hire Full Time Police Officer James Bradford: Alderman Myers moved to approve Resolution 2020-47 to hire James Bradford at $16.50 per hour, contingent on passing pre-employment screening. Alderman Howard seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and two (2) Absent. This position was added at the June 1, 2020 Council meeting.

5. Date to Resume In-Person Council Meetings: Mayor Maurer stated that current regulations about in-person meetings will be in place until at least June 27, 2020. By general consensus, the Council decided to hold the July 6, 2020 Council meeting in- person. A Zoom remote access connection will still be available for any member of the Council or of the public who wants to use it.

6. 2020-2021 Appropriations: City Clerk Wilt had mailed the 2019-2020 financial report to the Council members prior to this meeting to aid in setting appropriations for the coming fiscal year. By general consensus, the Council will discuss Appropriations at 6:00 pm prior to the regular Council meeting on July 6, 2020. Attorney McCoy reported that the state deadline to file appropriations has been extended from July 31, 2020 to September 30, 2020.

Mayor’s Report:

• The planters that Knoxville High School provided for the downtown area are watered by the City three days a week. Alderman Eiker will discuss a weekend watering schedule with Supervisor of Public Works Rossell.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, July 6, 2020 at 7:00 pm. A committee meeting to discuss Appropriations will be held prior to that meeting at 6:00 pm. Both meetings will be held in person in the Council chambers at the Knoxville Police Station.

Committee Reports

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: Alderman Howard asked when the James Knox Park restrooms and playground equipment could be opened up for use, as they are currently closed as per COVID-19 restrictions. The Mayor and Alderman Howard will seek clarification.

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 7:56 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

http://kville.org/wp-content/uploads/minutes-agendas-newsletters/Minutes_2020-06-15.pdf