Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met July 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

WORK SESSION

Call to Order: Mayor Maurer called the Meeting to order at 6:00 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, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None.

Discussion – 2020-2021 Appropriations: Council members reviewed the Appropriations line by line. Treasurer Bivens noted that the Hotel Motel Tax is currently levied at 4%, but that could be increased to 5%. That fund is currently in need of additional revenue.

Adjourn: At 7:03 PM, Alderman Myers moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Call to Order: Mayor Maurer called the Meeting to order at 7:08 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, Attorney McCoy, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None. Also in attendance: Mr. Keith Vaughn, Lt. Don Ryner, Officer Jeremy Moore, Officer Ryder Cudd and four members of the police officers’ families.

Mayor Maurer presented commendations to Police Officers Jeremy Moore and Ryder Cudd, who rescued a family from a burning home on April 21, 2020, and to Lt. Don Ryner, recognizing his twenty years of service with the Knoxville Police Department.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the June 15, 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: No report. Treasurer’s Report: No report. City Clerk’s Report: No report.

INFORMATION ITEMS

A note from the Robert Fields family was circulated, expressing thanks for the memorial donation and flower arrangement.

OLD BUSINESS

1. 2020-20201 Appropriations: Mayor Maurer reported that the changes to the current appropriations, which were discussed at the work session prior to the regular Council meeting, will be put into ordinance form for the July 20, 2020 Council meeting. A required public hearing will be held before that meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Knoxville Mercantile Liquor License Request: Mr. Keith Vaughn desires to remodel his building at 320 E. Main St. to include a restaurant, ice cream shop, and axe throwing lanes. He is requesting a Class E liquor license for this venture. By general consent, the Council was favorable in granting a license. Attorney McCoy was directed to draft an ordinance to add an additional Class E license, which will be added to the agenda for the July 22, 2020 Council meeting. He will also update the liquor ordinance to take out any unused licenses.

2. IEPA Water Main Loan Payoff: The IEPA loan for the water main from Galesburg is scheduled for payoff in February 2024. As the interest on the loan is higher than the interest currently received on investments, Treasurer Bivens recommended paying this loan off with the August 2020 payment. Payoff is $101,063.16, and it will be paid from Water operational funds. Alderman Gruner moved to pay off IEPA Loan L17-1551 in August 2020. Alderman Howard seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes. The incorrect payoff amount was announced at the June 15, 2020 Council meeting.

3. Request for a 34 ft Culvert 304 Madison St: Owner Nate Gibbs would like to have a 34 ft culvert installed to service the duplex he is building at 304 Madison St. Supervisor of Public Works Rossell has reviewed and approved this request. Alderman Eiker moved to allow a 34 ft culvert with a 12 inch diameter at 304 Madison St. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

4. MidCentury Subcontractor Water Main Break Water Loss: Central Cable, the subcontractor for MidCentury Communications, hit the water main in December 2019. Central Cable fixed and paid for the break, but there was water loss estimated at $3,000.00 that remains at issue. The City was unable to close off the mains in a timely manner. Alderman Myers moved to eliminate the cost associated with the water main break. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

5. Playground Reopenings: Illinois is now in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, but there are no real guidelines for public parks. Alderman Howard reported that the James Knox Park restrooms are now open, but the restrooms and playground equipment will not be cleaned or sanitized for public use.

Mayor’s Report:

• A form letter from Casey’s General Store was received asking if Knoxville would consider curbside beer sales. They currently hold a Class B license, but this request is not covered in the current ordinance.

• Love’s solar array project will be starting on July 6, 2020.

• Building Administrator Larry Rigg has suggested that the City sponsor a monthly contest to recognize outdoor property improvement projects.

• Former First Ward Alderman Frank Olin passed away July 6, 2020. He served on the Council from 2012 through 2017.

• According to the IL Municipal League, 2020 Census takers will begin door-to-door inquiries starting August 11, 2020.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, July 20, 2020 at 7:00 pm. A Public Hearing concerning the Appropriations Ordinance will be held prior to the meeting.

• The next meeting Public Library Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2020.

Committee Reports

• Administration: Alderman Myers could like to review Council wage statistics to see if increases are warranted to gain interest for future open Council seats.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: Alderman Howard reported that he was investigating reports of damaged pieces in the skateboard park.

• Police: There has been no update on the proposed land swap between the City for the western portion of the MidCentury subdivision lot on Ann St and Ron Formhals for the pie-shaped property on the north side of the police station parking lot, which was discussed at the November 4, 2019 Council meeting. Chief Poyner will reach out to Mr. Formhals.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: Alderman Eiker inquired about MidCentury coming back to fill in holes in residents’ blacktop driveways, made during the fiber boring process. Alderman Myers will contact MidCentury.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 8:25 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_2020-07-06.pdf