Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Aug. 1.

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, Attorney McCoy, Chief Poyner, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None. Also in attendance: Ms. Penny Flesner, and representing Kiwanis International: Mr. Jim Rochford, Mr. Mark Peterson and two additional gentlemen.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Eiker moved to approve the Minutes of the July 18, 2022 City Council Meeting. Alderman Taylor 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: Clerk Wilt reported that she had filed the annual Appropriations Ordinance with the Knox County Clerk.

INFORMATION ITEMS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Police Taser Replacement: Chief Poyner stated that he was still awaiting grant information from State Representative Dan Swanson’s office, plus the Knoxville Community Fund has expressed interest in helping to purchase new tasers. This item will be placed on a future agenda.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Kiwanis International: Kiwanis International Past State President Jim Rochford stated that Kiwanis is reorganizing a Knoxville chapter. He and other representatives have been meeting with community leaders and have 10 people committed towards the 15 members needed to charter a chapter. A club meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at Hidden Hills Winery. Kiwanis International is a service organization focusing on youth.

2. Zoning Board of Appeals – Fence Height Variance 721 E Ann St: Kaylee Santiago, 721 E Ann St, submitted a request, based on her unusual lot configuration, to build a 6 foot tall fence with a 20 foot setback in her side yard. The Zoning Board of Appeals reviewed and recommended approval of this request at their July 26, 2022 meeting. Alderman Gruner moved to approve the fence height variance at 721 E Ann St. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

3. Zoning Board of Appeals – Construct a 30’x40’ Accessory Building Over the Maximum Size Allowed 776 S Market St: Josh and Jana Soper, 776 S Market St request a variance to build a 30’x40’ accessory building, 200 sq ft larger than allowed. The Zoning Board of Appeals reviewed and recommended approval of this request at their July 26, 2022 meeting. Alderman Hillier moved to approve the construction of a 30’x40’ accessory building at 776 S Market St. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

4. Appoint Val Morris to the Public Library Board: Alderman Eiker moved to appoint Val Morris to the Public Library Board. Alderman Hope seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

5. Resolution 2022-42 Homecoming Parade: Alderman Moore moved to approve Resolution 2022-42 for Temporary Closure of a State-Maintained Roadway for a Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 7, 2022. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes. The resolution will be filed with the IL Department of Transportation.

6. Shiner Smoke-Off September 10, 2022: G&M Distributors and Big Catz BBQ are hosting a competitive rib and chicken cook off on Saturday, September 10, 2022, and are requesting the use of the City-owned lot on North St behind Big Catz BBQ at 221 E Main St, and to close Timber St from North St to North Public Square for the event. Alderman Gruner moved to allow the use of the lot and the street closure on September 10, 2022. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. There will be temporary fencing installed around the City-owned lot to keep alcohol off City property.

Mayor’s Report:

• The wastewater treatment plant solar project is still in process but is currently stalled due to tree removal issues.

• The Street Department has recently replaced and/or maintained many ditches and culverts identified as having drainage issues during the July 8, 2022 heavy rainstorm.

• Bids are needed for the sanitation storage rental building roofs.

• Alderman Gruner would like a volunteer to reinstate the Fishing Derby in 2023, perhaps on July 4. The last Derby was held May 5, 2018.

• The concrete has been poured for the pending handicapped area at James Knox Park. The skateboard equipment has been removed from that park as a preparation to make a pickleball court. There is fencing that could be removed from the skateboard area, and that item will be placed on the August 15, 2022 Council agenda. Clerk Wilt will let the insurance company know about the removal of skateboard components.

• There have been no bids received so far on the empty lot at 207 E North St. Bid opening is scheduled for August 15, 2022 during the regular Council meeting.

• A wastewater treatment professional in the area has contacted some Council members to state that the City’s current contract with BOCK Inc is illegal due to the length of the contract. Attorney McCoy will investigate this claim.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 7:00 PM at the City Hall Annex.

Committee Reports

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: Alderman Eiker complimented employee Debra Rainey for a good job maintaining the city flower pots around the business district this season.

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report.

• Water/Sewer: Alderman Gruner stated that he had been receiving regular wastewater treatment plant updates from BOCK Inc.

Adjourn: At 7:38 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_2022-08-01.pdf