Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Oct. 3.

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, Engineer Cooper, Chief Poyner, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: None. Also in attendance: Ms. Penny Flesner, Mr. Brant Herring, Mr. Tucker O’Leary.

Public Comments: Mr. Tucker O’Leary, 104 Bayard Ave, requested that there be additional signage at Mable Woolsey Elementary School announcing the one-way traffic observance during school hours. Alderman Eiker will contact the Street Department for additional signage.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the September 19, 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: Clerk Wilt reported that the IL Dept of Transportation had audited the Motor Fuel Tax Fund for 2021 and found the records to be correct. She also noted that election packets for the April 4, 2023 consolidated election are now available.

INFORMATION ITEMS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

1. James Knox Park: Mayor Myers reported that all the old fencing had been removed from the skateboard park area, dirt will soon be hauled in, and that additional donations towards the James Knox Park improvements were pending.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Authorizing Ordinance for Lead Water Service Pipe Replacement: Engineer Cooper and Attorney McCoy presented a draft ordinance to borrow funds to replace lead water pipes in all 145 homes affected. This loan will not have to be paid back, but the ordinance is required plus publication guidelines will need to be followed. Alderman Gruner moved to approve Ordinance 2022-16 Authorizing a Loan Agreement with the IL EPA. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

2. Sewer Lining Project Bid Approval: Engineer Cooper presented bids for cleaning and televising all remaining sewers installed prior to 1980, and recommended the low bid from Hoerr Construction. Alderman Hillier moved to accept the bid from Hoerr Construction, Goodfield, IL for $132,050.75. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

3. Requesting Permission to Create Junior Football League Field on Non-Utilized North Side of Cemetery: It was noted that the agenda was incorrect and the request was to use the South side of the cemetery. Junior Football League Director Brant Herring asked for permission to set up a football field on the south end of the cemetery, just north of St Mary’s Chapel. The league serves over 140 area youth, and currently practices at James Knox Park. Alderman Eiker will ask Community Bible Church, 1369 Knox Hwy 8, if the league could use part of their property for the field.

4. Glow Run 1 Mile Fun Run – Requesting Permission to Hold on City Streets: Alderman Eiker moved to allow the Mable Woolsey Elementary School PTO to hold a Glow Run 1 Mile Fun Run on city streets on October 15, 2022 at 5:00 PM. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

5. Culvert Extension Request 214 N Timber St: Alderman Eiker moved to allow an extension to increase the length of the existing culvert to 40 feet at 214 N. Timber St. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

6. Set Trick or Treat Hours for Monday, October 31: Alderman Moore moved to set Trick or Treat hours from 6:00-8:00 PM on Monday, October 31. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

7. Close City Hall Friday, November 25 – Day after Thanksgiving: Alderman Hillier moved to close City Hall on November 25, 2022. Alderman Taylor seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. Other City services will remain open, and City Hall employees will use vacation time for that day.

8. Resolution 2022-46 – Christmas Parade Saturday, December 3: Alderman Hillier moved to approve Resolution 2022-46 to hold a Christmas Parade at 1:00 PM on December 3, 2022. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

Mayor’s Report:

• The request for a street light at Park and South Streets is pending with Ameren Illinois.

• Compassus Hospice has requested permission to collect funds during the Scenic Drive on the Public Square for Hurricane Ian victims in Florida. There was no objection to this request.

• An inspector from Bruner, Cooper & Zuck could be deputized to inspect two residences for possible demolition.

• Tim Eagle has paved his portion of the parking lot behind his business at 240 E Main St, and has requested that the city garbage trucks not drive on it. Businesses and residents who formerly placed trash in that area will take their trash to the curb on the east or west ends of the lot. The truck will back in the lot from the west side once per month to empty the dumpster for another business.

• The solar panels at the wastewater treatment plant will be installed soon.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, October 17, 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: Alderman Eiker reported that city employees had completed replacing culverts and clearing ditches on South West St to take care of water issues in the area.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 7:40 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_2022-10-03.pdf