Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council Met May 3.

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, Howard, Myers, and Reed; Mayor Maurer, Treasurer Whitney, Chief of Police Poyner, Attorney McCoy, Engineer Cooper, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None. Also present: Mr. Travis Moore, Mrs. Janet Barnum, Mr. Keith Vaughn, Mrs. Bobby Jo Maurer, Mrs. Terrah Myers, Mr. Trevor Myers, Teagan Myers, Mrs. Andi Howard, Mrs. Donna Powers, Mr. David Wilt, Mrs. Joan Whitney, Mrs. Donna Benjamin.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Howard moved to approve the Minutes of the April 19, 2021 City Council Meeting. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

Swearing in of New Council: Mayor Maurer administered the Oath of Office to newly elected First Ward Aldermen Angela Hillier and Michael Howard, Second Ward Aldermen Karen Benjamin and Kristina Hope, Third Ward Alderman Charles Gruner, Fourth Ward Alderman Johnathan Reed, City Clerk Leslie Wilt, and Mayor Toby Myers.

Adjourn: At 7:08 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn Sine Die. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. The meeting was adjourned.

Call to Order: Mayor Myers called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.

Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Benjamin, Eiker, Gruner, Hillier, Hope, Howard, and Reed; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Whitney, Chief of Police Poyner, Attorney McCoy, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None. Also present: Mr. Travis Moore, Mrs. Janet Barnum, Mr. Keith Vaughn, Mrs. Terrah Myers, Mr. Trevor Myers, Teagan Myers, Mrs. Andi Howard, Mrs. Donna Powers, Mr. David Wilt, Mr. Jim Whitney, Mrs. Joan Whitney, Mrs. Donna Benjamin.

Public Comments: None.

Appointments for Third Ward Alderman and City Treasurer Seats: Mayor Myers appointed Travis Moore for Third Ward Alderman. Alderman Hillier moved to approve the appointment. Alderman Benjamin seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes. Mayor Myers administered the Oath of Office to Third Ward Alderman Travis Moore. Mayor Myers appointed Janet Barnum as City Treasurer. Alderman Hillier moved to approve the appointment. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes. Mayor Myers administered the Oath of Office to City Treasurer Janet Barnum.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: No report.

Engineer Report: No report.

Treasurer’s Report: No report.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Mayor Myers read the Motorcycle Awareness Month Proclamation, provided by the Central Illinois ABATE.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Storage Rental Rates: Mayor Myers reported that there had been many questions and complaints by patrons following the storage rental rate changes approved at the April 19, 2021 Council meeting. The rate schedule will be reviewed and discussed at a later time. Alderman Gruner moved to modify all current storage rates to $60.00 per month, regardless of size of item stored. Alderman Howard seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

2. James Knox Park Improvements: Alderman Reed reported the Facebook poll results for the skate park area at James Knox Park showed that most people requested additional basketball courts. He suggested changing the skate park to half basketball/half tennis court and redoing the existing basketball courts to make them regulation. A planning committee will be formed, and the discussion was tabled.

NEW BUSINESS

1. IDOT MFT Resolution to Appropriate Funds for Henderson Rd Resurfacing Project: Engineer Cooper reported that the Henderson Road resurfacing project will cost $350,000.00, but that federal funding will pay 80%. Alderman Hillier moved to appropriate $70,000.00 from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund for the Henderson Road Resurfacing Project. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes. This project will go out for bid on July 30, 2021.

2. MFT Resolution for Street Maintenance: Engineer Cooper shared a map of the proposed 2021 Street Maintenance Program Alderman Moore moved to appropriate $52,000.00 from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund for the 2021 Street Maintenance Program. Alderman Howard seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

3. Appoint Building Administrator: Mayor Myers nominated Clay Skinner for Building Administrator, following the retirement of Building Administrator Larry Rigg. Alderman Hillier moved to approve Clay Skinner for Building Administrator. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

4. Golf Cart Inspections: Alderman Moore volunteered to take over citizen’s golf cart permit inspections, previously performed by Mayor Myers.

5. Concrete at Beavers Teeth Brew & Chew 320 E Main St: Mayor Myers stated that he had spoken with Beavers Teeth owner Keith Vaughn, and instead of covering the front terrace area with concrete as was originally requested, they suggested that the street light in the terrace be moved, the sidewalk extended, and curbs installed to allow for three additional parking spots. By general consent, this item will be tabled pending information from Ameren Illinois about moving the light.

6. Old City Hall Roof: Mayor Myers noted that Armour Roofing submitted a bid for a complete tear-off and replacement of the old City Hall roof, which has been leaking. Alderman Howard moved to contract with Armour Roofing for $13,255.00 to replace the old City Hall roof. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

Mayor’s Report:

• A note from the Knoxville High School FFA was circulated, thanking the Council for the donation of the #1 Wheel Tax sticker highlighting the FFA Chapter.

• The official vote canvass from the April 6, 2021 Consolidated Election has been received.

• Summer band director Bob Clark has cancelled the 2021 season due to COVID-19 concerns.

• An inquiry was received from Debbie’s Gaming Lounge, seeking information on establishing a business in Knoxville. There was no interest from the Council to pursue this lead.

• There were water line issues discovered during the excavating for the new City Hall. There will be one electrical meter covering both buildings.

• The selection of a Mayor Pro Tem will be on the Monday, May 17, 2021 agenda.

• The Old Knoxville Courthouse has been officially added to the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, May 17, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Police Station.

Committee Reports

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: No report.

• Police: Chief Poyner reported that four body cameras had been purchased.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 8:01 PM, Alderman Eiker moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. The meeting was adjourned.