Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Sept. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: Mayor Myers called the regular Council Meeting to order at 6:00 PM. All rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Eiker, Gruner, Hillier, Hope, Moore, and Taylor; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Engineer Cooper, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Alderman Reed, Attorney McCoy, Chief Poyner. Also present: Ms. Penny Flesner, Mr. Ian Carothers.

Proclamation – U.S. Constitution Week: Mayor Myers read a proclamation declaring September 17-23, 2022 as Constitution Week.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the September 6, 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: Engineer Cooper stated that the Public Square resurfacing project will start on September 22, 2022, and should take two days. He also stated that the bids for televising the sewer had been opened and that Hoerr Construction submitted the low bid. This item will be placed on the October 3, 2022 Council agenda.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Barnum reported that she moved $400,000.00 from the Town Fund checking to the Town Fund Money Market account. Alderman Gruner noted that the 2021- 2022 annual treasurer’s report had been published in the Knoxville Bulletin as required. 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 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. Bid Opening – Sale of 207 E North St: Two bids were submitted for this property, both for the minimum bid of $3,000.00. Alderman Eiker moved to adopt Ordinance 2022-15 Accepting a Purchase Bid from Nathan Gibbs for 207 E North St for $3,000.00.

Alderman Taylor seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes, one (1) Abstention, and one (1) Absent. Mayor Myers was required to vote on this ordinance as the Municipal Code requires a 3/4ths vote of the corporate authorities then holding office to vote in favor of an ordinance to sell municipal real estate. The mayor counts as a corporate authority, and in cases where a supermajority vote is necessary for an ordinance to pass, the mayor votes on the ordinance.

2. James Knox Park: Mayor Myers presented information on an accessible playground structure for James Knox Park, costing $93,000.00 including fees. Private fundraising and two grants total $78,000.00, leaving approximately $14,000.00 to be funded. A TIF intergovernmental agreement for $80,000.00 would cover the balance on the structure plus funds to finish the sidewalk around the park, pave the former skateboard park for pickleball, and add additional equipment. Alderman Hillier moved to move forward with a TIF intergovernmental agreement for work and improvements at James Knox Park. Alderman Hope seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Street Light Request 400 Block W South St: Alderman Eiker will ask Ameren IL to do a study to consider adding a street light in this block.

2. Resolution 2022-45 – Hire Part Time Library Employee Tracy Crump: Alderman Moore moved to approve Resolution 2022-45 to hire part time Library employee Tracy Crump at $12.00 per hour. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

3. Old Courthouse Column Repair and Painting: The Old Courthouse columns need to be repaired and painted, and a preliminary bid of $23,000.00 was received, although if any parts of the columns need replacement. The upper portion of the courthouse also needs paint and repairs, and city employees do not have the proper equipment to perform the work. An additional bid will be requested for this work. A TIF intergovernmental agreement could pay for this work.

Mayor’s Report:

• The second and final American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) installment of $185,483.38 has been received and will be used mainly for the sewer televising project and to replace some water shut-offs.

• The ground has been leveled following tree removal for the solar project at the wastewater treatment plant.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, October 3, 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: No report.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 6:22 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Taylor 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_2022-09-19.pdf