Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Nov. 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: Mayor Maurer called the Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

All rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Benjamin, Gruner, Hillier, Hope, Howard, Myers, and Naslund; Mayor Maurer, Treasurer Bivens, Chief of Police Poyner, Attorney McCoy, and City Clerk Wilt. Engineer Cooper arrived at 7:23 PM. Absent: Alderman Eiker. Also in attendance: Ben Burgland with Blucker, Kneer, & Associates, Chad Morse with Porter-Hay Insurance Co, Residents Tom and Debbie Worden, Tim and Barb Hurley, Joey Young, Denny Dean, Joe Rafferty, Keith Vaughn, Terry Welty, Sandy Pemberton, Joy Link. Also in attendance after 8:00 PM: Derek and Renee Powell.

Public Comments:

• Tom Worden, owner of Big Catz BBQ, 221 E Main St, asked for support from the Mayor and Council to stay open for indoor dining. He stated that other communities, including Galesburg, are ignoring the Governor’s mandate set for November 4, 2020, which is shutting down inside dining as a COVID-19 precaution. He also stated that Mayor Maurer had told him that the potential exists for the Mayor, as Liquor Commissioner, to pull a restaurant’s liquor license.

• Joey Young, 612 Sheridan St, stated that he supports Tom and Debbie Worden.

• Terry Welty, with Envision Insurance, Galesburg, spoke towards allowing Knoxville restaurants to stay open.

• Keith Vaughn, owner of Beavers Teeth Ax Throwing Brew & Chew, 320 E Main St, requested to be allowed to remain open with extra precautions, as closing inside seating would be detrimental to business.

• Tim Hurley, 156 Sunnyview Ave, asked for support of local restaurants by letting them remain open. He asked if the Knox County Health Department had contacted the city concerning potential restaurant closings. Mayor Maurer answered that the City had not been contacted.

• Denny Dean, 210 W Main St, stated that he supports restaurants staying open.

• Sandy Pemberton, 203 S Market St, stated that 2019 KHS graduates Sam Pemberton and Evan Link are the first KHS students to achieve the American FFA degree, and she asked permission to post a 24x36 announcement sign at each end of town, at no cost to the city. This item will be discussed as #4 New Business.

The Council recognized the public comments, and by general consensus, stated that restaurant closure is beyond the City’s control, and that they support local businesses. Attorney McCoy stated that municipalities do not have any authority in this matter. Chief Poyner stated that he does not object to restaurants remaining open for inside dining, but if someone were to officially complain to his department, the complaint could be written up and forwarded accordingly.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Hillier moved to approve the Minutes of the October 19, 2020 City Council Meeting. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with one abstention.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: No report.

Engineer Report: Engineer Cooper reported that the sewer lining project will begin the week of November 9, 2020.

Treasurer’s Report: No report.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

INFORMATION ITEMS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Property/Liability Insurance Renewal: Chad Morse with Porter-Hay Insurance reported that there will be no increase in the renewal of the City’s policy with the Illinois Municipal League.

2. Ordinance Regarding Happy Hours or Promotions for Sale of Liquor, and Increasing the Number of Liquor Licenses: Attorney McCoy presented a draft ordinance with two changes to the Liquor Ordinance. The number of Class B licenses will change from 3 to 4 for the reissue of a carryout license for the BP Station, which is scheduled to reopen soon. The other change adds Happy Hour provisions, passed by the state in 2015, allowing Happy Hours 4 hours per day up to 15 hours per week. If passed, the city code will mirror the state ordinance. Alderman Myers moved to adopt Ordinance 2020-13 Regarding Liquor Licenses and the Promotional Sale of Liquor. Alderman Howard seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and (1) Absent.

3. City Hall Addition: Engineer Cooper provided a drawing and cost estimate of $600,040.00 for the new City Hall addition. The area between the two buildings will have a covered, elevated, and heated walkway, however, the bid does not include cutting the brick to access the old building. There will also be seven regular and one handicapped parking spot on the north side of the building. Alderman Gruner moved to accept the City Hall Addition plans. Alderman Benjamin seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and (1) Absent.

NEW BUSINESS

1. 2019-2020 Financial Audit: Ben Burgland from Blucker, Kneer, and Associates reported that he had completed the annual audit and found no issues to report. He stated that the City has a good reserve and is in a good position going forward. He has submitted the report to the state comptroller.

2. BP Station Liquor License Request: Mayor Maurer reported that Mr. Pradeep Kataria, owner of the currently closed BP Station 747 Knox Hwy 10, is reopening the business after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Mr. Kararia has again requested that the Council consider approving a liquor pouring license, separate from his current carryout Class B license, so that he may apply for a state gambling machine license. Mr. Kataria provided Mayor Maurer with financial projections to share with the Council. If this type of license was granted, there could be other convenience stores in town that may ask for the same license. Mayor Maurer will ask Mr. Kataria to attend the November 16, 2020 Council meeting.

3. Ordinance – City Council Wage Increase: Council compensation has remained the same since 1992. Alderman Myers moved to approve Ordinance 2020-14 Fixing Salaries of the Mayor and Alderpersons, increasing the Mayor salary to $5,000.00 per year, the City Clerk and City Treasurer salaries to $3,500.00 each per year, and the Alderperson’s rate to $75.00 per meeting. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. These increases will take effect when the new council is seating at the first meeting in May 2021. This will only affect those members up for election in April 2021. Any others will take effect after the election in April 2023.

4. American FFA Degree Sign Request: Alderman Naslund moved to allow signs to be placed at the east and west entrances of town for one year, recognizing the students noted in the Public Comments. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

5. Close City Hall November 27 – Day After Thanksgiving: Alderman Myers moved to close City Hall on November 27, 2020, the day after Thanksgiving. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. City Hall employees will need to use vacation time for this day.

6. Christmas Parade: Clerk Wilt reported that due to COVID-19 restrictions, the KHS band will not be participating in the annual Christmas parade. By general consensus, the request to hold the parade will be submitted to the IL Dept of Transportation to meet the deadline for approval, but the item will be placed on the November 16, 2020 agenda for final Council approval.

Mayor’s Report:

• Tax Levies will need to be filed before the last Tuesday in December. Any increase under 5% does not require a truth in taxation hearing, but one may be set anyway.

• Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

• The Public Library Board will meet on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 7:00 pm.

Committee Reports

• Administration: Alderman Myers noted that tax levies have not been raised in seven years. He would like to place the item for discussion on the November 16, 2020 Council meeting agenda. He proposed announcing, as a courtesy to the public, an open hearing at 7:00 PM on December 7, 2020, and then voting on the levies at the Council meeting that will immediately follow the hearing.

• Cemetery: Alderman Hillier reported that due to increased COVID-19 restrictions, at least one funeral has been cancelled.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: No report.

• Police: Alderman Naslund reported that full time officer Ryder Cudd, who recently completed PTI training, has resigned to take another position. Chief Poyner reported that multiple officers are out right now, mostly due to long and short term health concerns. He proposed staffing first and second shifts only, and letting Knox County cover third shift, which has already been happening on an as-needed basis. Options for attracting and keeping trained officers were discussed.

• Sanitation: Alderman Hope reported that the oldest sanitation truck, currently used for yard waste, needs some injectors replaced, and that it is good practice to replace all six of them at once, at an approximate total cost of $6,000.00. By general consensus, the Council agreed to move forward with these repairs, and the item will be placed on the agenda for the November 16, 2020 Council meeting.

• Streets: Alderman Myers reported for Alderman Eiker that the stump removal and subsequent sidewalk repair at 221 W. Ann St should be placed on the agenda for the November 16, 2020 Council meeting.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 8:48 PM, Alderman Hillier moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Benjamin seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. The meeting was adjourned.

https://kville.org/wp-content/uploads/minutes-agendas-newsletters/Minutes_2020-11-02.pdf