Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Dec. 5.

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: Engineer Cooper. Also in attendance: Mr. Gary Conner, Mrs. Becky Conner, Mr. Bart Randall, Mrs. Ginger Randall, Ms. Penny Flesner, Mrs. Kathy Breeden. Mr. Byron Austin joined the meeting later.

Public Comments: 

Becky Conner, 207 W Main St, stated that her daughter has health issues and she is concerned about leaf burning and the impact on community health. She asked that the Council consider options for leaf removal other than burning. She would be willing to support limiting burning to less days than to ban burning completely.

Ginger Randall, 106 S Market St, stated that she has health issues and is opposed to leaf burning, however, she agrees that limiting burning to certain days would be helpful.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the November 21, 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: Treasurer Barnum reported that she had transferred funds from the General Fund Money Market account to the General Fund checking account to pay for the Sanitation storage building roofs, and from the Sewer Capital Improvement Money Market account to the Sewer checking account to pay for sewer televising and cleaning, plus a gear reducer at the wastewater treatment plant.

City Clerk’s Report: Clerk Wilt reported that petitions for the April 4, 2023 Consolidated Election could be filed at the City Hall Annex with the City Clerk from December 12 through December 19, 2022.

INFORMATION ITEMS 

None.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Ordinance 2022-17 2022-2023 Tax Levies: Attorney McCoy presented a draft ordinance raising the tax levies by approximately 4.5%, which is under the threshold requiring a truth in taxation hearing. The increase totals $17,231.00 overall, and it affects the categories of Town, Street Lighting, Police, and Parks. Alderman Gruner moved to approve Ordinance 2022-17 2022-2023 Tax Levies, with a total of $382,850.00. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

2. Burning Yard Waste Options: Mayor Myers stated that by early 2023 he would like to revamp the entire City Ordinance Chapter 10 Fire Prevention and Protection and provide residents with alternatives to leaf burning. Suggestions included no burning on Sunday Monday-Tuesday and residents taking dry leaves themselves to the tree dump area where they could be composted. Composted soil could be used in the cemetery and elsewhere.

NEW BUSINESS 

1. Walnut Street Parking: Alderman Moore stated that a citizen had requested one-sided parking on the 500-600 block of Walnut St on the cul-de-sac to allow easy access for emergency vehicles. By general consensus, the south side of the street should have the prohibited parking. This requires an ordinance change to Chapter 28, Traffic Control. This change will be prepared for the December 19, 2022 Council meeting.

2. Resolution 2022-28 Hire Full Time Police Officer Dylan Johnson: Alderman Hillier moved to approve Resolution 2022-28 Hire Full Time Police Officer Dylan Johnson at $18.00 per hour. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes. Chief Poyner will enroll Mr. Johnson in the January 4, 2023 Police Training class.

Mayor’s Report: 

• The Christmas parade, luminary lighting, and the downtown business open house evening events were held on December 3, 2022 and were successful.

• The solar project at the wastewater treatment plant is progressing.

• The new street light on West South Street is pending with Ameren IL. 

• The message sign from Galesburg Sign and Lighting that was approved for purchase on June 20, 2022 is no longer available, so the process must start over.

• The Employee-Council-Committee Christmas Party will be Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Big Catz.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, December 19, 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: Alderman Moore stated that a new squad vehicle is needed to replace the 2017 vehicle that is at the end of its life.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 7:51 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_2022-12-05.pdf