Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met June 19.

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 present: Ms. Penny Flesner.

Public Comments: Ms. Penny Flesner asked questions concerning Old Business Item #1: Knox County Fairgrounds Donation Request, since she stated that she would not be able to address the Council during the meeting. She asked if the Fairgrounds asked for this donation before the building was started, and why the City of Knoxville feels responsibl for paying this donation. Mayor Myers answered that no, the City was not asked ahead of time, but he stated that costs for the project had increased since the initial plans, so the Fairgrounds was seeking additional donations to cover the project. He also stated that part of the Fairgrounds are within the City limits, and it is in the best interest in the City to assist with keeping the Fairgrounds open and active.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the June 5, 2023 City Council Meeting, and the June 12, 2023 City Council Special Meeting. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with one (1) Abstention.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: Attorney McCoy noted that he was working on the demolition process for 109 W Main St, is trying to contact the proper financial institution responsibility for 209 N Hebard St, and has given notice to abate 206 S Line St as a nuisance property.

Engineer Report: No report.

Treasurer’s Report: No report.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

Payment of City Bills: Alderman Gruner moved to approve payment of the City Bills.

Alderman Hillier 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.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Knox County Fairgrounds Donation Request: Council members toured the Knox County Fairgrounds new facility at their June 12, 2023 Special Meeting. Alderma Gruner moved to donate $10,000.00 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to the Knox County Fairgrounds for their new community use/office building. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) No vote (Hope).

NEW BUSINESS

1. Zoning Board of Appeals – 306 W Main St: At their June 6, 2023 meeting, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend the rezoning of 306 W Main St from R1B Single Family Residence to R2 Single Family, Two Family, Multiple Family. Alderman Moore moved to approve the rezoning of 306 W Main St to R2 Single Family, Two Family, Multiple Family. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes.

2. Purchase of Backhoe: A bid from Birkeys for a new backhoe was presented, to replace an old backhoe that keeps needing repairs. Alderman Gruner moved to purchase a Case backhoe with an add-on bucket from Birkeys for $89,500.00. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes. Two-year financing will be requested from Birkeys.

Mayor’s Report:

• Residents are utilizing the new options at the tree dump appropriately. The area is currently left unlocked for ease of use.

• The solar plant at the Wastewater Treatment Plant is assumed to be completed, but there is no confirmation of that. The area has still not been mowed as promised.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, July 3, 2023 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 7:37 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Moore 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_2023-06-19.pdf