Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met July 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: Mayor Myers called the City of Knoxville Public Hearing on the 2022-2023 Appropriations Ordinance 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, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None. Also in attendance: Mr. Dan Hiett, Mr. Sam Coombs, Mr. Dennis Neuhaus, Officer Patrick Hayes.

Public Comments: None.

Adjourn: As there were no public comments, Alderman Gruner moved to adjourn the Public Hearing. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:01 PM.

Call to Order: Mayor Myers called the Regular Council Meeting to order at 7:01 PM.

Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Eiker, Gruner, Hillier, Hope, Moore, Reed and Taylor; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Attorney McCoy, Chief Poyner, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None. Also in attendance: Mr. Dan Hiett, Mr. Sam Coombs, Mr. Dennis Neuhaus, Officer Patrick Hayes.

Public Comments: Mr. Sam Coombs requested permission to drive his vehicle onto the City owned lot at 207 E North St for the purpose of clearing out brush and an old swimming pool behind his family member’s home at 204 N Hebard St. The backyard of that property is inaccessible by vehicle from the Hebard St side. Mr. Coombs stated that he planned to complete the work within one week. By general consensus, the Council approved this request.

Mr. Dennis Neuhaus, 209 N Timber St, addressed the Council with a complaint towards Officer Patrick Hayes and Officer Zachary Cox for an incident that occurred on July 4, 2022. He stated that illegal fireworks were being set off in the vicinity of the Knoxville Fire Department. Officers Hayes responded to the scene following Mr. Neuhaus’ 911 call, and Officer Cox followed shortly afterwards. Mr. Neuhaus stated that those officers should be terminated for dereliction of duty for not arresting those breaking the law by setting off the fireworks. He asked the Council to see that justice is done in this matter.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the June 20, 2022 City Council Meeting. Alderman Taylor seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with one Abstention.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: No report.

Engineer Report: No report.

Treasurer’s Report: No report.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

INFORMATION ITEMS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Employee Health Insurance: Dan Hiett with Hiett Insurance presented employee health insurance options with United Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Renewal of the current United Healthcare plan would increase premiums 14.26%. There is minimal increase to the current Premium Saver Plan supplemental insurance. Alderman Gruner moved to select Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan S506OPT, effective September 1, 2022. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

2. 2022-2023 Appropriations Ordinance: Alderman Moore moved to approve Ordinance 2022-07 Annual Appropriations Ordinance. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

3. Draft Ordinance – Chapter 15 Nuisances: Attorney McCoy presented a second draft ordinance with changes as directed by the Council at the June 20, 2022 Council meeting, specifically addressing nuisance greenery, and updating the notice to abate. Alderman Moore moved to approve Ordinance 2022-08, Revising Chapter Fifteen (Nuisances). Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Disposition of 207 E North St: Attorney McCoy presented a draft ordinance to sell the empty lot at 207 E North St by closed bid. There is a minimum bid of $10,000.00 required, and the notice to sell will be published three times. The bids will be opened at the August 15, 2022 Council meeting. Alderman Eiker moved to approved Ordinance 2022-09 to sell 207 E North St. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

2. Police Taser Replacement: Chief Poyner reported that the tasers purchased in 2014 are nearing end of life and replacement parts are no longer available. Seven new tasers will cost $26,985.10. This item will be placed on the July 18, 2022 Council agenda.

3. Disposition of 2013 Ford Explorer: The 2013 Explorer initially purchased as a police vehicle has most recently been used in the street department, but is no longer needed. Alderman Hillier moved to sell the 2013 Ford Explorer for $1,000.00 or best offer, with the discretion of the Supervisor of Public Works at no less than $700.00. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

4. Add Assistant Supervisor of Public Works Position: Alderman Eiker moved to add the position of Assistant Supervisor of Public Works. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes. A job description will be prepared for the July 18, 2022 Council meeting.

5. Resolution 2022-40 Hire Trevor Myers as Assistant Supervisor of Public Works: Alderman Eiker moved to approve Resolution 2022-40 to hire Trevor Myers as Assistant Supervisor of Public Works at $20.00 per hour, effective July 4, 2022. Alderman Taylor seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

Mayor’s Report:

• American Legion Post #749 is adding additional panels to the military honor wall between Historic City Hall and the Old Courthouse.

• Donations of $612.54 were collected during the annual July 4 fireworks display. This amount will be added to the amount regularly spent for the 2023 fireworks. Fireworks funding will be placed on the July 18, 2022 Council agenda.

• Band Director Bob Clark is retiring from directing the summer community band. He will be invited to the July 18, 2022 Council meeting to be recognized for his service. • After meeting with Engineer Cooper, it was determined that it would take approximately $700,000.00 to reline all remaining sewers in town. To fund this project, there is still ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) funding that has not been spent, plus an Illinois EPA loan could be taken out.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, July 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 that $12,890.80 had been spent on new parts for one of the wastewater treatment plant clarifiers, and it is now operational. The other clarifier needs repairs totaling about $32,000.00.

Public Hearing and Regular Council Meeting Council Chambers, Knoxville City Hall Annex, 33 N Public Sq, Knoxville IL

Adjourn: At 8:24 PM, Alderman Hillier 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_2022-07-05.pdf