Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council Met March 1.

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, Eiker, Gruner, Hillier, Hope, Myers and Reed; Mayor Maurer, Treasurer Whitney, Chief of Police Poyner, Attorney McCoy, Engineer Cooper, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Alderman Howard. Also present: Ms. Tracy Camden and Mr. Josh Mercer with Western Illinois Regional Council, Mr. Elias Sahyouni with the Ghada Company, Miss Ainsley Buster, Mr. Ryan Sunderland.

Public Comments: Knoxville High School seniors Ainsley Buster and Ryan Sunderland asked the Council to sponsor Project Graduation, a fun, substance-free event for graduating seniors.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the February 15, 2021 City Council Meeting. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: No report.

Engineer Report: No report.

Treasurer’s Report: No report.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

Change Agenda Order: Alderman Myers asked to change the order of business to allow a vote on New Business Item #1– Knoxville High School Project Graduation. Alderman Myers moved to contribute $1,640.00 to Project Graduation, which is $20.00 for each of the 82 seniors. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Mayor Maurer noted that the 9 month financial report for 2020-2021 had been distributed by Clerk Wilt.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Western Illinois Regional Council: Representatives Tracy Camden and Josh Mercer detailed services, including social services and grant writing, offered by Western Illinois Regional Council (WIRC). WIRC is looking for a board member from Knox County.

2. City Hall Addition: Engineer Cooper passed out the tabulation from the February 18, 2021 bid opening and stated that all bids received for this project were well over the $600,000.00 estimate. His firm is working with the lowest bidder and the City to adjust the cost, but no bid has been awarded yet. The bid could be awarded and then a change order issued. By general consent, the Council was favorable to move forward with the project. Treasurer Whitney will investigate taking out a loan with a local bank to cover the additional amount.

3. TIF Request – Pete Alfano 201 E Main St and 205 E Main St: Mayor Maurer stated that the Council approved these project applications on October 9, 2018. The projects have been completed, and the expenditures verified and approved by the Economic Development Council. Alderman Myers moved to approve the grant payment of $40,000.00 to Pete Alfano for 201 E. Main St. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. Alderman Myers moved to approve the grant payment of $30,000.00 to Pete Alfano for 205 E. Main St. Alderman Benjamin seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Knoxville High School Project Graduation: Item already discussed – see above after General Reports.

2. TIF Request – Elias Sahyouni 218 E Main St and 222 E Main St: Mr. Elias Sahyouni with the Ghada Company presented TIF applications. The building at 218 E Main St will house a realty office and a restaurant equipment store and could be completed before Fall 2021. Alderman Myers moved to approve the TIF request for Ghada Company for 218 E. Main St. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. The building at 222 E. Main St had a previous redevelopment agreement 2018-02 that has expired. Per the Economic Development Group, this original agreement could be extended instead of applying for a new grant. Mr. Sahyouni was in agreement, and a re-draft of the original ordinance will be presented at the March 15, 2021 Council meeting. Mr. Sahyouni agreed to use historical paint colors on both buildings, and to keep the sidewalks free from snow and ice.

3. 2021-2022 Wheel Tax Sticker: Clerk Wilt presented the 2021-2022 Wheel Tax sticker design, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Knoxville High School FFA Chapter. Alderman Gruner moved to approve the design. Alderman Myers seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

4. Consent to Hire Part Time Police Officer Timothy Nichols: Chief Poyner noted that he would like consent to hire a new part time officer, but due to the state training schedule time constraints, he cannot submit a resolution to hire a particular officer until training is confirmed. Alderman Myers moved to allow the hiring of a new part time Police Officer. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. Chief Poyner will request to add an officer to the state training list.

5. Storage Rental Rates: The current storage rental rate charged is $50.00 per month, regardless of the size of the item, and has been in place since the program started in 2011. The fee schedule will be evaluated, perhaps to include two to three tiers of rates based on the size of the item in storage, and a new schedule will be presented for consideration at the March 15, 2021 Council meeting.

Mayor’s Report:

• Any unsafe accessory building, such as a garage with a collapsed roof, can be declared a nuisance, according to City ordinance.

• The owner of 312 E North St has applied for a demolition permit. He had been directed by the City to repair the home or tear it down.

• Let Mayor Maurer know if a Council member is approached by a subcontractor concerning the City Hall addition project.

• The 2021 Easter Egg Hunt in James Knox Park will be cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.

• Brad Locke, owner of Brad’s Home Improvement 102 W Main St would like to submit a TIF application to add to the west side of the building. The property will be TIF-eligible again in the fall of 2021, as it already had improvements under former ownership.

• The Annual TIF Joint Review Board meeting will be held on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 11:00 AM via remote access.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Police Station. An Administrative Committee meeting will precede the meeting at 6:00 PM.

Committee Reports

• Administration: Alderman Myers stated that he will present employee wage compensation suggestions that address the Illinois minimum wage increase schedule at the Administrative Committee meeting on March 15, 2021.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: Alderman Reed stated that he would like to have cameras and additional lighting installed at James Knox Park.

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: Alderman Hope stated that spring clean-up dates need to be selected. The last week of April or the first week of May were suggested.

• Streets: Alderman Eiker reported that the tree debris at 108 N. West St should be cleaned up soon.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 8:47 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_2021-03-01.pdf