Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met June 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: Mayor Myers 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, Moore and Reed; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Chief of Police Poyner, Attorney McCoy, Engineer Cooper, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the June 7, 2021 City Council Meeting. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: Attorney McCoy that cemetery trust funds potentially could be managed by the Knoxville Community Fund as a part of the Galesburg Community Foundation. Engineer Report: Engineer Cooper reported that the annual oil and chip project was completed today. He also stated that the Council will need to vote officially to enter into an agreement with IDOT for the Henderson Road project. Finally, he reported that the City is eligible for $340,000.00 for water and sewer expenses from the American Recovery Fund. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Barnum stated that she moved some maturing CDs from First Mid Bank to Tompkins State Bank, and some were deposited into Money Market accounts. City Clerk’s Report: No report.

Payment of City Bills: Alderman Gruner moved to approve payment of the City Bills; Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

INFORMATION ITEMS

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

OLD BUSINESS

Road Paving 320 E Main St: The light pole has been removed by Ameren and the City will take out the curb and reconfigure the area which will add 2 to 3 parking spaces, including a handicapped space.

1. Police Department Captain and Sergeant Job Descriptions: Police Captain and Sergeant job descriptions were presented. After discussion, responsibility to discipline was added to the Captain description. Alderman Howard moved to approve the Police Captain and Sergeant job descriptions, including the changes noted for the Captain position. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

2. Full Time Employee Compensation – Base Starting Wages: Starting wages for new full time hires was discussed at the Administrative Committee meeting on March 15, 2021 but the item was not submitted for Council approval. After the discussion to make changes to the committee’s recommendations, Alderman Howard moved to approve the following starting wages: Town $15.00, Street/Sanitation $17.00, certified full time Police $18.00, certified part time Police $17.50, uncertified full time or part time police $16.00, with full time to be raised to $18.00 upon certification and part time to be raised to $17.50 upon certification. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

3. Resolution 2021-41 – Hire Full Time Police Officer Patrick Hayes: Alderman Howard moved to approve Resolution 2021-41 to hire Patrick Hayes at $16.00 per hour, and Resolution 2021-42 to hire Heath Milan at $16.00 per hour, contingent on passing pre-employment screening. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

4. Resolution 2021-42 – Hire Full Time Police Officer Heath Milan: See New Business Item #3 above.

5. Resolution 2021-43 – Hire Part Time Grounds Maintenance Worker Sam Pemberton: Alderman Gruner moved to approve Resolution 2021-43 to hire Sam Pemberton at $11.00 per hour, contingent on passing pre-employment screening. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes

6. Circle Drive Drainage: Attorney McCoy will draft a letter asking for easement rights to access a culvert in this area. The item will be placed on the July 6, 2021 Council agenda.

7. Placing Fence Between 102 and 104 Bayard Ave on the Property Line: Brock Pease, owner of 102 Bayard Ave, and Grace Lutheran Church, owner of the property at 104 Bayard Ave, wrote letters asking permission to place a fence between the two properties on the property line. Alderman Gruner moved to allow the fence to be built on the property line. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

8. TIF Final Approval – Big Catz BBQ 221 E Main St: The project at 221 E Main St has been completed, and the expenditures verified and approved by the Economic Development Council. Alderman Hillier moved to approve the grant payment of $40,000.00 to Big Catz BBQ. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

9. Resolution 2021-44 – Homecoming Parade: Alderman Hillier moved to approve Resolution 2021-44 to hold the Knoxville High School Homecoming Parade on October 1, 2021. Alderman Howard seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

10. Appoint Rae Slaton to Public Library Board: Alderman Hillier moved to appoint Rae Slaton to the Public Library Board, as recommended by the Library Board. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

11. Knoxville Car Cruise Funding Request: Alderman Hillier moved to give $500.00 to the Knoxville Car Cruise for advertising costs. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

Mayor’s Report:

• Police Officer AJ Avery has resigned as a full time officer, effective June 23, 2021.

• Grounds Maintenance Worker Harold Wheatley has resigned, effective June 25, 2021.

• There will be a City Hall construction meeting on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.

• There will be a Water and Sewer Committee meeting on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 6:00 pm, prior to the regular Council meeting.

• There will be an Appropriations work session on Tuesday, July 12, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 7:00 pm.

• Retiring Lieutenant Don Ryner will be honored at the July 19, 2021 Council meeting. He will be promoted to an honorary Captain before retirement.

Committee Reports

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: Alderman Reed reported that he would like to sell the skateboard park equipment at James Knox Park, evaluate what would need to be repaired below the equipment, and add a regulation basketball court plus other additions on that space. These changes will be placed on a future Council agenda.

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report.

• Water/Sewer: Alderman Gruner reported that a fitting failure caused a sewer line leak in front of Casey’s at 440 Henderson Rd, but it is now repaired. Also, Mayor Myers noted that there are sink holes in the driveway at 216 Grove St.

Adjourn: At 8:00 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Eiker 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_2021-06-21.pdf