Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met July 18.

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, Moore, Reed and Taylor; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Chief Poyner, Attorney McCoy, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None. Also present: Mr. Robert Clark, Mrs. Amber Clark, Mr. Jeremy Garrett, Ms. Penny Flesner, Officer Patrick Hayes, Mrs. Jamie Brignall, Mr. Bill Sargeant.

Public Comments: Mrs. Jamie Brignall, 111 W Main St, addressed the Council with nuisance concerns about the property at 109 W Main St. She noted that there are wild animals accessing the foundation, rodents in the open storage shed, the yard has only been mowed twice this season, and that the resident uses foul language towards the neighbors. Chief Poyner said that if the resident is threatening, to contact him. Attorney McCoy noted that it may be possible to get an administrative warrant to view inside the home for safety and health reasons. Mr. Bill Sargeant, 109 N West St, and Mrs. Brignall gave verbal permission for the police to access their properties as needed to view the property at 109 W Main St.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Eiker moved to approve the Minutes of the July 5, 2022 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 Eiker 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.

• Mayor Myers noted an email sent by Officer Zachary Cox, who was unable to attend the meeting due to illness, stating that he enjoys working for the City, and wanted to give kudos to the Knoxville Fire Department for the cooperation Officer Cox had with the department following a call to handle a head-on collision on July 4, 2022.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Police Taser Replacement: Mayor Myers will reach out to State Representative Dan Swanson about possible grant opportunities to replace the current tasers. Quotes for new tasers will be placed on the August 1, 2022 Council agenda.

2. Assistant Supervisor of Public Works Job Description: Clerk Wilt presented a draft job description as requested during the July 5, 2022 Council meeting. Alderman Moore moved to accept the job description for Assistant Supervisor of Public Works. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

3. TIF Reimbursement – PCPB Ventures LLC: The Economic Development Group has approved the finalized grant application for PCPB Ventures LLC for 138 E Public Sq. Alderman Hillier moved to approve the distribution of a TIF grant for $40,000.00 to PCPB Ventures LLC. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Zoning Board of Appeals – TIF Request Jeremy Garrett 306 E Main St: Mr. Jeremy Garrett presented a TIF request to improve his building at 306 E Main St. He also plans to take out the front setback to make the building flush with the adjoining building at 308 E Main St. The Zoning Board of Appeals reviewed and recommended approval of this request at their July 12, 2022 meeting. Alderman Gruner moved to approve the request with Jeremy Garrett for 306 E Main St. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

2. Pay Differentials across Departments: Alderman Gruner moved to pay Cemetery and Parks Grounds Maintenance workers the current Street, Sanitation, and Water base rate if they temporarily work any hours in Streets, Sanitation or Water. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

3. Fireworks Funding: Alderman Hillier moved to add the $727.54 in donations collected at the 2022 July 4 fireworks celebration toward the 2023 July 4 display, in addition to the amount already appropriated. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

4. Resolution 2022-41 Hire Full Time Police Officer Zachary Cox: Officer Zachary Cox has been working as a Part Time Police Officer since May 16, 2022. Chief Poyner recommended hiring Officer Cox as a Full Time employee. Alderman Moore moved approve Resolution 2022-41 Hire Full Time Police Officer Zachary Cox at $20.00 per hour. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes. Officer Cox’s twelve month probationary period starts over with this new position.

Mayor’s Report:

• The second lighting project at James Knox Park has begun. The park restroom plumbing needs to be upgraded.

• Following a three inch rainfall in 30 minutes on July 15, there were multiple resident complaints about flooding, especially in the S Broad, W Main, and S Timber St areas. All water receded within two hours. Homeowners need to keep ditches clear.

• The west side of Circle Dr continues to hold water several days after rainfall. A covenant for the area has been located by its residents. If the covenant is still active, the City would be allowed to put a drainage ditch in the area.

• There is a ribbon cutting for Garrett’s Glass at 308 E Main St on Friday July 22, 2022 at 2:30 pm.

• IL Department of Transportation requires 4 handicapped ramp installations before the Public Square resurfacing can be funded. Only North and South Public Sq will be resurfaced at this time.

• The building owned by Jason Motz at 222 E Main St had new siding installed that has now been removed by the owner and replaced with different siding more in line with the Historic District requirements.

• Food and ice cream sales at James Knox Park are desired for July 4, 2023. Cans for donations toward fireworks could be placed within the community, and fireworks sponsorships could allow for more money to be spent on fireworks.

• Bids will be sought for roofs for the two sheds used for storage rental.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, August 1, 2022 at 7:00 pm.

Committee Reports

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: No report.

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: Alderman Hope reported that there had been complaints about damage to the blacktop in the 700 block of S Division St during the construction of an accessory building in the area. The City will work with the property owner to repair the blacktop when the project is completed.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 8:01 PM, Alderman Gruner 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_2022-07-18.pdf