Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met April 4.

Here are 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, Moore, Reed and Taylor; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Attorney McCoy, Chief Poyner, Engineer Cooper, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Alderman Howard. Also present: Mr. Jason Lumberry, Mr. Ed Mahar.

Public Comments: Mr. Jason Lumberry with Country Financial presented a $1,500.00 donation to the Police Department as part of the company’s Operation Helping Heroes program.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the March 21, 2022 City Council Meeting. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: Attorney McCoy reported that he and Clerk Wilt had participated in a phone hearing today with the Illinois Department of Employment Security concerning an unemployment claim with former employee Nick Pettifurd.

Engineer Report: No report.

Treasurer’s Report: No report.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

INFORMATION ITEMS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

1. New City Hall Addition Message Sign: Due to no new information available, the item was tabled until the April 18, 2022 Council meeting.

2. 2022-2023 Wheel Tax Design: Alderman Hillier moved to approve Design A – a brown line drawing of Old City Hall and the New Annex as the 2022-2023 Wheel Tax sticker design. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

3. Business District Snow Removal: Alderman Eiker provided a map highlighting which downtown sidewalks would be cleared after a snowfall. A policy is still needed. Alderman Eiker moved to approve the boundaries for the business district sidewalk snow removal program. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Blessing Box – James Knox Park: The Knoxville Junior High School Student Council requested permission to build, fill, and maintain a “Blessing Box” at James Knox Park, to be filled with food and household items, free for the taking. Alderman Hillier moved to allow a Blessing Box to be placed in James Knox Park. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. The box will be placed near the pavilion.

2. Motor Fuel Tax Street Projects 2022-2023: Motor Fuel Tax Street Projects for 2022- 2023 totals $450,000.00 for Henderson Rd, Public Square, and general street oil and chip. Alderman Hillier moved to approve the resolution for $70,000.00 for the 2022-2023 Motor Fuel Tax Henderson Road project. Alderman Taylor seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. Alderman Hillier moved to approve the resolution for $300,000.00 for the 2022-2023 Public Square milling and resurfacing project. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

3. Appointment of City Attorney, City Engineer, Auditor: Alderman Gruner moved to make the following appointments: City Attorney Robert McCoy with Miller, Hall, and Triggs, City Engineer Kevan Cooper with Bruner, Cooper & Zuck, and Auditor Ben Burgland with Blucker, Kneer, and Associates. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

4. Resolutions 2022-03 through 2022-34 Employee Compensation 2022-2023: Employee compensation recommendations from the Administrative Committee meeting on March 21, 2022 were presented. Alderman Hillier moved to approve Resolutions 2022-03 through 2022-34 Employee Compensation 2022-2023. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes, two (2) Absent, and one (1) Abstention.

5. Resolution 2022-35 Hire Part Time Police Officer Zachary Cox: Mayor Myers removed this item from the agenda.

6. City Wide Yard Sales: Alderman Hillier moved to designate June 10 and 11, 2022 for Knoxville City Wide Yard Sales. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

Mayor’s Report:

• City Hall Annex opened today with a ribbon cutting at 3:00 PM and an Open House in the afternoon.

• The Wastewater Treatment Plant solar panel project is underway.

• Two new gearboxes have been ordered for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

• Handicap-accessible playground equipment placement is pending for James Knox Park.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 18, 2022 at 7:00 PM at the City Hall Annex.

Committee Reports

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: No report.

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report.

• Water/Sewer: Alderman Gruner reported for his ward that the alleyway between Locust and Mill Streets off of Broad St has not been vacated. An ordinance could be drafted to vacate the alley and, by default, the homeowner on either side will receive half.

Adjourn: At 7:30 PM, Alderman Hillier moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Gruner 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_2022-04-04.pdf