Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Dec. 21

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 Public Hearing Concerning the 2020-2021 City of Knoxville Tax Levy Ordinance to order at 7:07 PM. There were no members of the public present. Mayor Maurer noted that the proposed tax levy had been on display at City Hall. There were no comments or questions.

Adjourn: At 7:10 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to close the public hearing. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and two (2) Absent. The Public Hearing was closed.

Call to Order: Mayor Maurer called the Meeting to order at 7:10 PM.

Observance for City Treasurer Mrs. Margaret “Peg” Bivens: A moment of silence was observed for Mrs. Bivens, who passed away unexpectedly on December 9, 2020. She had been a member of the Planning Commission, was a Third Ward Alderman and City Clerk, and was currently serving as City Treasurer.

All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Eiker, Gruner, Hillier, Hope, Howard, and Myers; Mayor Maurer, Chief of Police Poyner, Attorney McCoy, Engineer Cooper, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Aldermen Benjamin and Naslund. Also present: one member of the press, and Mr. Johnathan Reed. Alderman Benjamin joined the meeting at approximately 7:23 PM.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Hillier moved to approve the Minutes of the December 7, 2020 City Council Meeting. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion which passed with five (5) Yes, two (2) Absent, and one (1) Abstention.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: No report.

Engineer Report: Engineer Cooper reported that the sewer lining project has been completed. He also reported that the water and sewer connections for the City Hall addition will attach on the west side on Market Street.

Treasurer’s Report: No report.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

Public Hearing and Regular Council Meeting Knoxville Police Station, 215 N. Hebard St., Knoxville

Payment of City Bills: Alderman Gruner moved to approve payment of the City Bills; Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed with six (6) Yes votes and two (2) Absent.

INFORMATION ITEMS

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

OLD BUSINESS

Alderman Benjamin joined the meeting during the discussion of Old Business Item #1.

1. Ordinance 2020-15 Tax Levies: A Public Hearing concerning the Tax Levy was held at 7:00 PM prior to this meeting, to give the public an opportunity to provide input. Alderman Myers moved to adopt Ordinance 2020-15 2020-2021 Tax Levies. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

2. Ordinance 2020-16 Hotel/Motel Tax Rate Increase: The current Hotel/Motel tax rate of 4% can be raised to a state maximum of 5%, to help cover costs associated with this account. Alderman Hillier moved to adopt Ordinance 2020-16 Hotel/Motel Tax Rate Increase, effective January 1, 2021. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Appoint City Treasurer: Mayor Maurer nominated Jim Whitney as City Treasurer to fill the remainder of term vacated after Treasurer Bivens passed away. Alderman Gruner moved to appoint Jim Whitney as City Treasurer. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

2. IEPA Loan Program to Replace Resident Lead Water Lines: Alderman Gruner announced that the IL EPA is offering a grant program to cover 100% of the replacement of residential lead water lines. Engineer Cooper stated that the work would be bid out, and the contractor will work with homeowners to set up the replacement. Alderman Gruner moved to apply for the IEPA lead water line replacement program. Alderman Myers seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

3. Gas Contract Renewal: Mayor Maurer reported that Rock River Energy Services has offered recommendations for the natural gas delivery contract for city buildings, which comes due in May 2021. Alderman Myers moved to renew the gas contract with Constellation for 36 months at a fixed rate of $0.31689. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

4. City Collector Cell Phone Allowance: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the $30.00 city cell phone allowance for City Collector Wilt. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

Mayor’s Report:

• The Knoxville Community Fund has awarded the Police Department a $750.00 grant to purchase body cameras.

• The Public Library has received a $1,000.00 donation from Mrs. Rose Garrison in gratitude for the resources provided for remote learning during COVID-19 restrictions. • Knoxville Fire Protection District Trustee President Don Moffitt is exploring funding opportunities to raise $400,000.00 to replace their older model pumper tank truck. • Office Specialists hosts the city email accounts. Generic email addresses for city officers and aldermen could be set up that could pass from person to person without them having to use personal email accounts for City business.

• Comcast Cable is giving a courtesy adjustment to sports channel subscribers for having limited programming during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The filing period for the April 6, 2021 Consolidated Election ended at 5:00 PM today. • The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 7:00 pm, via remote access.

Committee Reports

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: No report.

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: Alderman Eiker reported that the equipment has been prepared for winter plowing, and that the price of street salt has been locked in at $45.00 per ton. 

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 7:52 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Hillier 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_2020-12-21.pdf