Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Aug. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: Mayor Myers called the regular Council 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, Engineer Cooper, Attorney McCoy, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None. Also in attendance: Mr. Dan Hiett, Ms. Lauralyn Farwell. 

Public Comments: None. 

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the August 2, 2021 City Council Meeting. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.  

GENERAL REPORTS 

Attorney Report: No report. 

Engineer Report: No report.  

Treasurer’s Report: No report. 

City Clerk’s Report: No report. 

Payment of City Bills: Alderman Hillier moved to approve payment of the City Bills; Alderman Gruner 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 

1. Employee Health Insurance: Dan Hiett with Hiett Insurance presented an alternative plan to offset rising policy costs. A higher deductible plan will be renewed with United Healthcare, and a Premium Saver Plan supplemental policy will be layered in to bring the deductible back down. Employees will present two cards for medical services. Alderman Gruner moved to approve the renewal with United Healthcare and Premium  Saver as presented. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7)  Yes votes. Mr. Hiett will meet with City employees to explain the changes.  

NEW BUSINESS

1. Consideration of Henderson Road Bids: Engineer Cooper reported that UCM Gunther Construction presented the low bid of $275,373.63, which was below the estimate, to resurface Henderson Road from the Knox County Fairgrounds entrance to Poplar Street. Alderman Howard moved to approve the UCM Gunther Construction bid. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes. Work will start  within the next month.  

2. Wastewater Treatment Plant Solar Power Information – Keystone Power Holdings: Lauralyn Farwell with Keystone Power Holdings presented a proposal to develop solar power for the wastewater treatment plant. The solar panels could be placed on city owned ground near the plant. It is a 30 year system, and Keystone would be responsible for removing and recycling the equipment at the end of its life. Potential savings could total $285,000.00 over the life of the system. Ms. Farwell will send additional information and the item will be placed on the September 7, 2021 Council agenda.  

3. General Police Orders – In-Car and Body-Worn Cameras – First Reading: Chief  Poyner presented these policy orders as a first reading. In-car dash cameras are treated differently than body-worn cameras with regard to FOIA requests. Attorney McCoy suggested possible changes to the FOIA section of the orders. This will be presented for a vote at the September 7, 2021 Council meeting.  

4. Tree Removal Request for 102 S West St: Don Bybee, owner of 102 S. West St, had written a letter asking that the terrace tree at that address be removed as he felt that tree roots were causing sewer line problems. The tree is healthy and there is no proof that the tree is causing damage. Alderman Gruner moved to take no action of the terrace tree removal request for 102 S. West St, due to no evidence that the tree is what is causing issues with the sewer lines. Alderman Hope seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes. The homeowner will be notified.  

Mayor’s Report: 

• The New City Hall has been roofed, and the siding started today. There was no provision for computer ethernet in the original bid, so that is being added. Office Specialists is providing a bid for office furniture, which will be presented at the next Council meeting.  

• Ordinance review will begin after the City Hall project is completed.  

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

Committee Reports 

• Administration: No report.  

• Cemetery: No report. 

• Economic Development: No report. 

• Parks: Alderman Reed reported that he had received bids for sale of the skateboard park  equipment.  

• Police: No report. 

• Sanitation: No report.  

• Streets: Alderman Eiker reported that the sidewalk replacements in front of the businesses at 320 E Main St and and 223 E Main St are almost finished. Also, Engineer Cooper stated that, after surveying, on the northwest corner of Circle Drive there is an  elevation drop to a pipe that goes under the railroad tracks. A ditch could be dug to that  pipe to alleviate the water problem on Circle Drive. 

• Water/Sewer: No report. 

Adjourn: At 8:26 PM, Alderman Howard 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_2021-08-16.pdf