City of Knoxville City Council Met March 15.
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 Eiker, Gruner, Hillier, Hope, Howard, Myers and Reed; Mayor Maurer, Treasurer Whitney, Chief of Police Poyner, Attorney McCoy, Engineer Cooper, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Alderman Benjamin. Also in attendance: Tom Worden, Deb Worden, Michelle McBride, Mason Reed.
Public Comments: None.
Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the March 1, 2021 City Council Meeting. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with one (1) Abstention.
GENERAL REPORTS
Attorney Report: No report.
Engineer Report: No report.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Whitney reported that he is combining CD’s as they mature. He also reported that a local bank would extend the City a loan to pay for some of the new City Hall expense at a low interest rate.
City Clerk’s Report: No report.
Payment of City Bills: Alderman Howard moved to approve payment of the City Bills; Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
INFORMATION ITEMS
• Mayor Maurer noted that the monthly departmental operating reports were available in the online Council packet.
• The annual TIF Joint Review Board was held earlier today, and summary reports for FY2019 and FY2020 were presented. The Mayor also noted that the pending legislation for municipalities with TIF districts to make local loans or grants to businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic has passed the IL Senate.
OLD BUSINESS
1. City Hall Addition: Engineer Cooper reported that he worked with low bidder Hein Construction to reduce project costs. Alderman Myers moved to award the contract for the City Hall addition to Hein Construction for $828,000.00, including a change order for eliminating the west ramp for $60,899.00, for a total of $767,101.00. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
2. Ordinance 2021-01 Redevelopment Agreement The Ghada Co 222 E Main St: As no representative from The Ghada Co was in attendance, Alderman Myers moved to table this item. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
3. Resolution 2021-01 Hire Part Time Police Officer Timothy Nichols: Alderman Myers moved to hire Part Time Police Officer Timothy Nichols at $15.00 per hour. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
4. Storage Rental Rates: Alderman Howard moved to table this item, pending obtaining more information about sizes of current stored items. Alderman Myers seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
NEW BUSINESS
1. TIF Request – Big Catz Barbeque LLC for 223 E Main St: Tom Worden, Deb Worden, and Michelle McBride with Big Catz Barbeque submitted a TIF request $40,000.00 for 223 E. Main St, for the building commonly known as “The Pit Stop.” Alderman Myers moved to approve the TIF application for 223 E Main St. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
2. Big Catz Barbeque Accessory Building Plans: Tom Worden, Deb Worden, and Michelle McBride with Big Catz Barbeque submitted a TIF request for $40,000.00 for an accessory building at 221 E. Main St, west of their current building. Mayor Maurer stated that a new building, a stage, and fencing are not TIF-eligible, but the parking lot improvements and door updates to the original building could be. The mayor will work with the Wordens to update their TIF request. By general consensus, the Council was favorable for Big Catz to add a commercial accessory building (carport), to replace their current tent set-up, as long as it follows the building guidelines and will blend into the Historic District.
3. Purchase Mower for Cemetery: Alderman Hillier moved to purchase a used Cub Cadet zero turn mower from Ron Poyner for $900.00. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
4. Ordinance 2021-01 Sale of Personal Property - Mower: Alderman Howard moved to approve Ordinance 2021-01 Sale of Airens zero-turn mower, to be sold without advertisement. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.
5. Spring Clean-Up Dates: Alderman Hope moved to set the week of April 12, 2021 as Spring Clean-Up. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.
Mayor’s Report:
• An email was received from the office of IL House Representative Cheri Bustos, indicating that Knoxville will have the potential to receive $340.000.00 under the American Rescue Plan for COVID-19 relief funding.
• Plans are still underway by the National Park Service to name the Old Courthouse a designated site on the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
• The Knoxville Fire Protection District has been granted permission to use the City-owned lot on North St north of Big Catz Barbeque as overflow parking for the fire department.
• RC Masonry will submit a bid to tuckpoint City Hall and the Courthouse.
• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 5, 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Committee Reports
• Administration: No report.
• Cemetery: No report.
• Economic Development: No report.
• Parks: No report.
• Police: Alderman Howard reported that the IL Law Enforcement Training Board reimbursement form for training for former employee Ryder Cudd was mailed in November but was never received by the board. A new request was sent today. Attorney McCoy noted that he was working with Mr. Cudd to make changes to modify his training repayment agreement.
• Sanitation: No report.
• Streets: No report.
• Water/Sewer: No report.
Adjourn: At 8:02 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Howard 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_2021-03-15.pdf
https://kville.org/wp-content/uploads/minutes-agendas-newsletters/Minutes_2021-03-15.pdf
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