Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met June 20.

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, Hope, Moore, Reed and Taylor; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Chief Poyner, Attorney McCoy, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Alderman Hillier. Also present: Mr. Lyle Plack, Mrs. Melissa Plack, Mr. Jamie Hopkins.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the minutes of the Appropriations Work Session held on June 6, 2022. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. Alderman Moore moved to approve the Minutes of the June 6, 2022 City Council Meeting. Alderman Eiker 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 Gruner moved to approve payment of the City Bills. Alderman Taylor seconded the motion which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

INFORMATION ITEMS

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

OLD BUSINESS

1. City Hall Annex Message Sign: Alderman Gruner moved to purchase the double face LED monochromatic illuminated message sign from Galesburg Sign and Lighting for $16,800.00. Alderman Hope seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. The sign is eligible to be paid for with TIF funds.

2. Abatement Policy for Unkept Yards: Attorney McCoy presented a draft ordinance for changes to Chapter 15 - Nuisances. Changes include specifically defining nuisance greenery, changing the number of days to address nuisance greenery from ten (10) to five (5), and charging $100.00 per hour per worker if the City mows the property. The Council directed Attorney McCoy to include the ability to fine a violator for a second offense immediately after the initial notice. The Council will review the changes and discuss at the July 5, 2022 Council meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Employee Health Insurance Options – Sagacity Benefits: Jamie Hopkins with Sagacity Benefits presented employee health insurance options with United Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Renewal of the current United Healthcare plan would increase premiums 13.89%. Additional options will be presented by current broker Dan Hiett at the July 5, 2022 Council meeting.

2. Request from Fire Department to Block Street to Perform Hose Testing: Lyle and Melissa Plack, representing the Knoxville Fire Department, requested permission to close the South Side of the Public Sq on June 23-24 for a contracted company to perform hose testing. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home is aware of and supportive of this closure. Alderman Gruner moved to allow the temporary street closure on June 23-24, 2022. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

3. 2022-2023 Appropriations Ordinance: Clerk Wilt presented a draft copy of the Appropriations Ordinance, including changes submitted at the June 6, 2022 Appropriations Work Session. There will be an Appropriations Public Hearing at 7:00 pm on July 5, 2022.

4. Wheel Tax Software Upgrade: This item was postponed pending additional information.

Mayor’s Report:

• Sidewalks and bushes will be removed from the east side of Historic City Hall. Additional wings to the military honor wall will be installed during the week of July 5.

• All LED replacement lighting has been installed in the parks and city buildings, which will make the City eligible for Ameren rebates.

• The James Knox Park restrooms were vandalized with graffiti.

• The City paid $7,500.00 in 2017 to demolish the home at 207 E North St. The City would now like to sell the lot for a minimum of $10,000.00 by closed bids. The item will be placed on the July 5, 2022 Council agenda.

• The solar project at the wastewater treatment plant will cover one acre, with all trees removed from the area.

• Engineer Cooper will be contacted to begin the procedure to take out one quarter of the road on the northeast side Circle Drive to assist with drainage in the area.

• Council members will pass donation buckets during the July 4 fireworks.

• A public hearing about the 2022-2023 Appropriations Ordinance will be held on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 7:00 pm, immediately followed by the regular Council meeting.

Committee Reports

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: No report.

• Police: Alderman Moore reported that a new back up data storage system costing $1,400.00 will be purchased and paid for from the Drug/DUI account. Also, the current tasers are becoming obsolete and will need replacing. This will be placed on the July 5, 2022 Council agenda.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report.

• Water/Sewer: Alderman Gruner reported that he has been receiving better communications recently from the BOCK employees at the wastewater treatment plant.

Adjourn: At 8:03 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_2022-06-20.pdf